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CITIES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY ADOPT UTAH’S MOST RESTRICTIVE ORDINANCES TO HELP PREVENT WATER SHORTAGE IN NATION’S FASTEST-GROWING REGION

Washington County Water Conservancy District

Washington County’s largest cities have banned non-functional grass for newly constructed commercial, institutional and industrial developments and are limiting grass at new homes. 1 In addition, new golf courses in St. George will not be approved unless the development can provide its own non-potable water source for irrigation. The ordinances, needed to prevent the fastest growing region in the nation from running out of water, are the most restrictive for new construction in Utah. “We can’t risk running out of water,” said Zach Renstrom, general manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District (district). “Prolonged drought has threatened our only water source – we have to make changes to how our community uses its water to protect our economy and quality of life.” “We applaud Washington County’s water conservation accomplishments and current efforts, including setting a higher development standard in the state with these new municipal ordinances,” said Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox. “Our future depends on every community in Utah making water conservation a top priority.” The ordinances also require the use of secondary (untreated) water and reuse (treated wastewater) for outdoor irrigation where available. Washington County currently uses secondary and reuse water to irrigate parks, schools, golf courses, city-owned facilities and some residential neighborhoods. The district is developing a regional reuse system in partnership with its municipal customers that will significantly enhance the availability of reuse water for future development. Other ordinance requirements include: Hot water recirculation systems Water-sense labeled fixtures EnergyStar appliances Submetering of multi-unit facilities Restrictions on water features including misting systems Water budgets for golf courses, and Limits on water used by car wash facilities The new ordinances are projected to save nearly 11 billion gallons of water in the next 10 years. Each respective municipality will enforce its new ordinance. The cities will review received water waste complaints and monitor metering data to notify and issue penalties to non-compliant customers. To help encourage compliance, the district will begin assessing an additional fee for high water use in 2023. Money generated from this fee will fund water conservation programs, including rebates to replace grass with water-efficient landscaping. Most municipalities require a minimum landscape vegetative cover using drought-tolerant plants and trees irrigated with a drip system to maintain community aesthetics and reduce impacts from urban heat island effects. Washington County is Utah’s hottest, driest and fastest-growing region. The county’s population is projected to more than double by 2050. All major population centers are currently dependent on a single water source, the Virgin River Basin, which is reaching its full development capacity. The basin has been in drought conditions 16 of the last 20 years and water supply levels at local reservoirs are decreasing. The county’s long-term water supply plan includes additional water conservation and reuse, local source optimization and new resource development. Washington County has already reduced its per capita water use more than 30% since 2000 – the greatest reduction in water use in Utah – and is planning for an additional 14% reduction by 2030, using 2015 as the baseline year. 1 Residential restrictions vary slightly by municipality, but most are limited to 8% of the lot size with a cap for large lots. Grass in park strips, in areas less than 8 feet wide and on slopes is prohibited. About Washington County Water Conservancy District The Washington County Water Conservancy District is a not-for-profit public agency that oversees water resources in Washington County, Utah. Visit wcwcd.org for more information. Contact Details Washington County Water Conservancy District Karry Rathje +1 435-673-3617 karry@wcwcd.org Company Website https://www.wcwcd.org/

August 03, 2022 07:51 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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Doceree Partners with Tealium to Enrich Precision Targeting of Healthcare Professionals

Doceree

Doceree, a global platform building unprecedented solutions for HCP programmatic marketing with proprietary data tools, announced today a partnership with Tealium, the world’s largest independent customer data platform (CDP), to advance the capabilities to collect, collate and analyze data sets to elevate the proficiency of precision targeting within Doceree’s platform. Data is crucial to target healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the life sciences category, and so the collaboration unifies the targeting solution afforded to marketers via Doceree’s platform with the utilization of Tealium’s various data connectors. In addition, the integration advances the structure of data analytics from messaging campaigns to embolden marketers to decipher real-time metrics to obtain actionable data which can be implemented towards communications on the most relevant online channel. “Our partnership with Tealium unlocks a first-rate CDP for our partners that empowers them to better segment their data to optimize their communication strategies,” said Thomas Shea, Chief Revenue Officer (North America), Doceree. “Marketers will gain access to an exhaustive data collection tool to bring metrics together to incorporate holistic data-driven insights on target audiences to generate effective messages at the optimal moments during an HCP’s digital workflow.” The utilization of real-time data assets between the organizations illustrates the digital journey of audiences for marketers to recognize the ideal moments for interactions to target HCPs across online platforms. Furthermore, Doceree will join the Tealium Integrations Marketplace to expand the digital communication offerings to life sciences organizations within Tealium’s ecosystem. Tealium’s interface will now enable users to easily create and execute campaigns with Doceree’s programmatic solutions. “As the latest innovative technology offering in our marketplace, Doceree provides our client base with data-driven solutions that are singularly focused on supporting life sciences companies,” says Jay Calavas, Tealium’s Chief Innovation Officer. “By aligning with Doceree, we expand data-first analytics to unify and measure the impact of virtual exchanges cultivated within an online healthcare setting.” About Doceree Doceree is a global platform building unprecedented solutions for healthcare professional (HCP) programmatic messaging with proprietary data tools. It facilitates messaging between life sciences brands and HCPs through an extensive global network of digital endemic and point-of-care platforms to programmatically deliver personalized communications to HCPs and transparent marketing campaign metrics at scale. To learn more, visit doceree.com. About Tealium Tealium connects customer data – spanning web, mobile, offline, and IoT devices — so brands can connect with their customers. Tealium’s turnkey integration ecosystem supports more than 1,300 client-side and server-side vendors and technologies, empowering brands to create a unified, real-time customer data infrastructure. Tealium’s customer data solutions encompass tag management, an API hub, a customer data platform with machine learning, and data management solutions that make customer data more valuable, actionable, and secure. More than 850 businesses worldwide trust Tealium to power their customer data strategies. For more information, visit www.tealium.com. Contact Details Doceree Kanchan Dass kanchan.dass@doceree.com Doceree Richard Krueger richard.krueger@doceree.com Company Website https://doceree.com/us/

August 02, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

A Million Dollars Will ‘Level Up’ Thousands of Houston Area Residents Out of Digital Divide

Comcast Houston

If you’ve ever played a popular 80’s video game, then you know about the disadvantages your character has right out of the gate. You can’t jump as high or as far, and it’s easier to lose the level and have to start all over again. But in the first few seconds, there’s usually always a chance to ‘level up’ your character. Instantly, you can jump higher and farther, run faster and if you encounter an enemy, you still have another chance at winning the level. There are thousands of Houston area residents who — from a digital perspective — aren’t ‘leveled up” and therefore struggle to participate in the digital economy. Some Houstonians still don’t know how to surf the web, write emails or create a resume. Others don’t even have a reliable and fast internet connection in their homes. The digital divide is still big. According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Communities Survey, one in ten households, or 687,086 households, in the greater Houston area do not have an internet subscription or do not have a computer. They want to ‘level up’, and they are about to get it. Comcast, the Houston area’s largest internet service provider, is giving more than one million dollars this year to local organizations that help students, adults and people with disabilities ‘level up’ their computer, career development and tech education skills. The million-dollar investment will also support ongoing efforts to build awareness about low-cost or no-cost connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). “These investments are a part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to make a real difference in southeast Texas by giving families an opportunity to thrive in this digital age,” Ralph Martinez, Comcast Houston’s Regional Senior Vice President, said. “The Internet is where life happens. It allows students to expand their educational aspirations and it empowers parents to explore better job openings so they can ultimately deliver a better quality of life for their families.” So far, Comcast has given grants to eight Houston area organizations. More announcements will be made later this year. United Way | Funding will be used to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. BakerRipley | Funding will support computer skills, software, email and internet safety training for low-income adults in the Houston area. Comp-U-Dopt | Funding will support students participating in Early Adopters, STEAM Team and Learn2Earn, which brings technology education to area youth. Comp-U-Dopt will also use the funding to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. Easter Seals of Greater Houston | Funding will support the development of a curriculum for people with disabilities to help them successfully learn to use digital technology to gain and maintain employment. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston | Funding will help high school students gain technical and leadership skills through the Workforce Readiness Program. AAMA | Funding will be used to purchase technology and equipment to support students through the training program at the Work and Learn Center, with an emphasis on digital literacy and design. Dress for Success | Funding will be used to provide Houston-area women with the resources needed to obtain long-term employment through access to job readiness training, digital skills workshops, computers and mobile labs. AVANCE-Houston | Funding will support adult literacy program and continue to build pathways to economic mobility for families in the community. “We are passionate about doing our part to help close the digital divide and committed to helping establish a more equitable foundation for learning, working and succeeding,” Martinez said. Comcast remains steadfast in its efforts to connect people to moments that matter, to connect families to opportunities in Southeast Texas. For more than a decade, the company has offered Internet Essentials to help low-income Americans access reliable, high-speed internet. Comcast is now a proud champion of the federal government’s new Affordable Connectivity Program. ACP gives qualifying households up to $30 towards their monthly internet bill. With ACP, Comcast’s Internet Essentials internet service is free. As more Houston area residents get the ‘level up’ they need, just like in their gameplay, they will have more chances to keep advancing—better jobs, better education, innovation, opportunities and yes, more fun and better gaming. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Houston Steve Campion +1 832-920-2001 Steve_Campion@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

August 02, 2022 08:40 AM Central Daylight Time

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Evofem Biosciences, Inc. CEO Saundra Pelletier Discusses Why $EVFM is a Company to Watch

Benzinga

Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 01, 2022 09:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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UN Taps DC Area Startup HSR.health to Advise on Advancement of Geospatial Standards for Health

HSR.health

HSR.health, a leading geospatial health risk analytics firm in the global space, is participating in the upcoming Twelfth Session of the UN-GGIM on August 3-5, 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York City. The firm’s leadership plans to share insights on geohealth issues and provide guidance on geospatial standards in the healthcare industry. “We commend the United Nations for establishing the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management to foster coordination and dialogue among and between national governments, academia, the research community, and industry on issues relating to GIS technology and platforms, location-based data, as well as geospatial standards,” says Ajay K Gupta, HSR.health CEO. “We recognize the UN-GGIM’s numerous achievements, partially including developing global geospatial frameworks supporting a number of key sectors and use cases, such as emergency response, disaster risk reduction and support for the Sustainable Development Goals.” HSR.health has experience in each of the areas essential to the advancing geohealth, including: Curating and geocoding health and SDOH data from authoritative sources around the world. Designing ML/AI and advanced data science techniques for data analysis. Developing novel public health models to address current challenges to our local to global health posture. Creating data models that integrate numerous datasets, including but not limited to: health data, population demographic data, mobility data, environmental data, data on the built environment, human-animal migration, habitat change, and others. Developing geospatial frameworks that merge novel data sources, such as from satellites, Internet-of-Things (IoT), Internet-of-Medical-Things (IoMT) sensors, medical devices, and digital twins, with existing sources used in diagnosis and treatment, such as clinical interaction and electronic health records systems. HSR.health ’s role will be to encourage the adoption of geospatial technology, location-based data, social determinants of health (SDOH) data, the identification of key health indicators, data models and architectures for health-focused spatial data infrastructures (SDIs), as well as the expansion of efforts to develop geospatial frameworks to include the development of a health data framework. “As the global landscape of human health changes, so does the vision of a sustainable future.” says Gupta. “New models and methods are needed to pave the path to health equity.” About HSR. health HSR.health is an innovation-first, global leader in health-focused geospatial data analytics. They support the public health and emergency response communities as well as all organizations impacted by health crises with novel indices that deepen the understanding of health issues, global and local, to better anticipate and mitigate those health crises. With a team of talented clinicians, public health analysts, data scientists, geospatial engineers, biostatisticians, epidemiologists, and cybersecurity experts, HSR. health is dedicated to remaining on the forefront of healthcare technology innovation- pushing the boundaries of what is possible to anticipate. Learn more about HSR.health at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Issuu page. Contact Details For media inquiries please contact: Madeline Lynch madeline@hsr.health Company Website http://hsr.health

July 28, 2022 08:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Cloudrise announces $10M in total funding

Cloudrise

Cloudrise, a tech-enabled services firm focused on securing data wherever it resides, is pleased to announce it has completed financing to raise the company’s total to-date funding to $10 million. Since launching the company in October of 2019, Cloudrise has worked with 100s of global customers, including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises, on their data protection and cloud security projects. During this time, Cloudrise has continued to exceed all stated financial targets and is investing significantly to expand service delivery and research and development teams, while raising the bar for data protection. To help further growth and innovation, Cloudrise secured additional funding in July from Three Kings Capital, with add-on capital from existing investors Stormbreaker Ventures and the Greater Colorado Venture Fund. With success comes the need to add more talent to Cloudrise’s Board of Directors, and Bill Ryckman, Managing Principal at Three Kings Capital, will join the Cloudrise board. "We are very pleased to be partnering with Cloudrise and its proven management team led by Rob Eggebrecht," Ryckman said. "Cloudrise is a well-known leader in the data protection market, with particular expertise in the cloud, and a reputation for delivering exceptional service. As more and more businesses embrace the cloud, Cloudrise has become an integral partner to a diverse set of clients across the country and around the world, helping to keep their data safe from cyber criminals. With its high-quality team and technology-enabled platform, Cloudrise is well-positioned to serve our collective mission on a much wider scale.” Cloudrise co-founder and CEO Rob Eggebrecht is excited about the future ahead for the company. “Our latest funding venture is a major milestone, allowing Cloudrise to fast-track industry-changing initiatives for how professional services are delivered in the cyber industry via our tech-enablement approach,” Eggebrecht said. “The current status quo for delivering professional services in the cyber industry is outdated, inefficient, and does not scale to the world of cloud computing in global enterprises today. While organizations are contending with the exponential growth of data and an excessive amount of cyber security application/platforms, traditional service providers are stuck in a mindset of a help-desk, ticket-driven world, attempting to throw more people at the problem.” Instead of throwing more time and resources at complex data security challenges, Cloudrise leverages a proprietary service delivery platform to increase efficiencies, enable better collaboration, and reduce time needed to deliver high-value outcomes. By bundling software and humans, Cloudrise delivers tech-enabled services that allow customers to realize an immediate impact for their business. Cloudrise continues to build on what has been a groundbreaking 2022, in which the company announced: The acquisition of CyberOrchard, an information security managed service organization located in the United Kingdom Jason Bird, CyberOrchard’s founder and CEO, as CTO at Cloudrise Cloudrise named as Netskope’s Global Services Partner of the Year Placement on the Managed Security 100 on CRN’s Managed Service Provider 500 list for 2022 ‘Best Solution in Data Security’ at Global InfoSec Awards by Cyber Defense Magazine Hiring Rob Zillioux as CFO The opening of a new global headquarters facility in Grand Junction, Colorado About Three Kings Capital Three Kings Capital is a mission-driven, family office-backed private equity platform that invests exclusively in cyber security companies. Its mission is to protect the world's assets, critical infrastructure, and personally identifiable information from cyber threats. Aided by an Advisory Board of government and private sector cyber security experts, Three Kings seeks to enable and partner with mission-driven companies at any stage of development. Its permanent, flexible capital base allows Three Kings to invest in any type of security within the capital structure. Three Kings is headquartered in New York City but seeks investment opportunities from around the country and certain other parts of the world. For more information, please visit www.ThreeKingsCapital.com. About Cloudrise Cloudrise is a technology-enabled services firm, specializing in delivering data security services customized to meet organizations’ business needs. Drawing from 20+ years of experience in the field, we have tailored our services to be laser-focused on securing organizations’ data wherever it resides. Cloudrise helps organizations elevate their data protection and privacy programs through assessments, technology enablement, and managed services. Cloudrise can be found at www.cloudrise.com or on LinkedIn. Contact Details Cloudrise Robert McLean +1 800-917-7619 sales@cloudrise.com Company Website https://cloudrise.com/

July 28, 2022 05:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

GROUNDWORK BIOAG ACQUIRES A STAKE IN NOVATERO BIOAG

Groundwork BioAg

Acquisition Accelerates Adoption of Mycorrhizal BioPlatform in Brazil Rootella® Addresses Farmers’ Need to Reduce Phosphorus, Combat Drought, Increase Yield After another year of global expansion to accelerate market penetration of their Mycorrhizal BioPlatform, Groundwork BioAg announced its partial acquisition of NovaTero BioAg, their exclusive distribution partner in Brazil for the past four years. The Brazilian biologicals market is projected to double in the coming years, fueled by the demand for increased yield on fewer hectares, solutions for moderate to chronic drought and fertilizer reduction. These combined challenges are affecting production and impacting the country’s approximately 83.4 million hectares of cropland. “As Brazilian farmers battle chronic drought as well as higher fertilizer prices and lack of supplies, they want the strongest natural defense for their farms so they can more effectively manage productivity season-to-season. Rootella® helps deliver broad benefits to farmers in their field as well as in their bank account,” said Bernardo Arnaud, Chairman of NovaTero. “The partial acquisition of NovaTero by Groundwork BioAg solidifies our continued partnership and signifies our shared commitment to help Brazilian farmers grow more, better food for around 1 billion people in the world, without having to expand agriculture internal frontiers.” Groundwork BioAg’s production capabilities uniquely supply cost-effective mycorrhizal inoculants to large-scale mainstream agriculture, like that in Brazil. While biologicals offer a fertility alternative, only mycorrhizal inoculants offer farmers an additional opportunity to increase climate resilience and access new revenue streams as a long-term strategic investment. After being granted the first and only definitive commercial registration for mycorrhizal inoculants in Brazil, NovaTero introduced Groundwork BioAg’s Rootella BR and Rootella BR Ultra, which set the standard for quality, concentration, and predictability of application for mycorrhizal inoculants in Brazil. “This investment reflects our strong partnership and market success working with NovaTero. They quickly established trust among Brazilian farmers and demonstrated our shared mission to ensure our customers can realize the full benefits of mycorrhizal inoculants,” said Dr. Yossi Kofman, Co-Founder and CEO of Groundwork BioAg, who recently announced commercial expansions in China and India. “Partnerships like these are integral to our global strategy as we continue to help tackle grand challenges facing humankind today, including food security, soil health, and climate change.” In the past few years, Groundwork BioAg established commercial operations across the world’s major breadbaskets, including Brazil, India, China, Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe. As the “queen of biologicals,” mycorrhizae are uniquely able to underpin a healthy soil microbiome and support resilient, stress-resistant plants with enhanced capacity for nutrient uptake under extreme drought. Based on strains isolated in the harsh Israeli desert, Groundwork BioAg’s products were applied on more than one million acres in 2021. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed. About Groundwork BioAg Groundwork BioAg, a global bioagriculture company, leverages the natural power of mycorrhizal fungi to improve the productivity, sustainability and profitability of commercial agriculture and expand regenerative agriculture practices. Groundwork BioAg is the first to use innovative techniques to solve challenges inherent in high-volume mycorrhizal inoculant production. We will not rest until every hectare of arable land is protected by mycorrhizae and every farmer benefits from higher crop yields while preserving our soils. For more information, visit www.groundworkbioag.com. Contact Details AgTech PR for Groundwork BioAg Jennifer Goldston +1 816-260-0040 jennifer@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.groundworkbioag.com

July 26, 2022 08:00 AM Central Daylight Time

News Release

Have You Had Your Monthly Mental Health Checkup?

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Just as you visit the doctor for a physical or a dentist for regular tooth cleanings, you need to take responsibility for your mental wellness. How? Take a mental health day at least once a month, so that you can de-stress and recharge, says Dr. Michele Nealon, President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. During these challenging times of crisis, it’s important to focus on your mental health as much as your physical health. “When your body is signaling you with a headache or stomach cramp, you need to pay attention to those symptoms,” she says. “Likewise, if you feel depressed or anxious, or if you feel constantly tired or unable to focus on tasks, it’s imperative you do something about that.” You may need to seek professional help, but Dr. Nealon suggests first giving yourself a mental health checkup as part of your self-assessment. Here are four inflation-proof tips to stay emotionally healthy: 1. Move your body. Try a new activity like stretching or going for a walk or hike to clear your mind and de-stress. 2. Eat a nutritious meal and hydrate. Focus on eating well and nourishing your body. 3. Catch up on sleep. If you are sleep-deprived, it can impact your mood and long-term health. 4. Be productive with your hobby and find balance. While crossing one item off your list can make you feel accomplished, spending the rest of the day doing what you enjoy will help you decompress. Taking time for self-care is a vital part of your mental health checklist regimen. And money should not be an excuse. “You do not need to spend money to relax,” says Dr. Nealon. About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Integrating theory with hands-on experience, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides education rooted in a commitment to innovation, service, and community for thousands of diverse students across the United States and globally. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit, regionally accredited university now features campuses in iconic locations across the country (Chicago, Southern California, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Dallas) and online. TCSPP continues to expand its educational offerings beyond the field of psychology to offer more than 30 degrees and certificates in the professional fields of health services, nursing, education, counseling, business, and more. Through its engaged professional model of education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and an extensive network of international partner institutions, The Chicago School’s students receive real-world training opportunities that reflect their future careers. The Chicago School is a proud affiliate of TCS, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Contact Details The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Vivien Hao, Public Relations Manager +1 323-893-4743 vhao@thechicagoschool.edu The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Victor Abalos, Executive Director of Communications +1 818-321-5371 vabalos@thechicagoschool.edu

July 25, 2022 01:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time

Leading protagonists held by police in fight to protect cannabis patients.

Who Are We Hurting?

Article written by Rip Nicholson When kissing a loved one amounts to having your business and your earnings taken from you, two founding members of a pro-cannabis collective have taken their fight to the powers that be and have since been fined by NSW Police for protesting cannabis laws in urgent need of review. Two members of a group of activists asking the question ‘WHO ARE WE HURTING?’ artist Alec “Craze” Zammitt and pro athlete turned entrepreneur and podcaster, William “Willy Biggs” Stolk - jointly known as the Australian ‘Kings of Cannabis’ - have fought on many battlefields for the advocacy of drug reform policy in Australia. Along with Sydney Opera House and harbour bridge projections, the group of activists have worked alongside the Legalise Cannabis Australia Party (formerly the HEMP party) through a series of well-orchestrated and very daring public awareness and guerrilla campaigns and protests which have each proved to be successful. Who Are We Hurting? Australian 420 Protests. The latest ‘Who Are We Hurting?’ installation ‘Opera House laser beam stunt’ as coined by The Daily Telegraph saw the pair projecting pro-cannabis slogans across the famous white sails of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the wee hours of 20 April, this year (also known as 420 - the international day to celebrate the cannabis plant). Using industrial projectors to illuminate the question, ‘420’ and dancing cannabis leaf animations across the iconic landmarks, the event was posted and shared throughout social media. How a kiss can get you prosecuted under broken driving legislation. In 2020, Zammitt, a former owner of a private security firm, had his licence to operate his business revoked due to a positive roadside test finding traces of cannabis in his system, thus stripping him of his ability to operate the enterprise. Zammitt along with representation from Mark Davis of Sydney City Crime disputed these results from NSW’s Government’s controversial mobile drug testing program insisting the positive test was most likely caused by cross-contamination by way of intimacy with his partner, a fellow medicinal cannabis patient. After being reviewed by an expert doctor in the field, it was found to be entirely possible that the cannabis detected in Zammitt’s system was picked up from a kiss exchanged with his partner prior to driving the car in which he was tested. Zammitt received two no-convictions for driving with cannabis in his system and was allowed to maintain his driving licence. Despite this, the NSW Police revoked Zammitt’s licence to operate his business. Without further evidence to suggest Zammitt was indeed under the influence of cannabis or any requirement for Zammitt to be removed from the roads, Zammitt believes his vehicle was targeted due to prior protests and his case shines a light on the many flaws present within the mobile roadside drug test systems throughout most Australian states. “This has become a de facto means of drug testing all citizens, and they’re doing it through licensing,” said Mark Davis. “There’s no onus on the police to prove these people were affected by drugs in any way, but you still have hundreds of people ending up with criminal convictions – even for trace elements in their system,” said Davis. 58-year-old Magistrate David Heilpern has retired after 21 years in service after stating he could not in good conscience continue to apply the law as stated and take away licences for drug driving out of his Lismore court — sometimes as many as 30 in a day. David Heilpern has since annonced his involvement as campaign lead for Drive Change, an initiative dedicated to fixing this legislation in Australia. "An enormous number, the vast majority of people who are brought before the courts on this charge, are not affected [by the drug]," says Heilpern. Mr Heilpern says there's not enough evidence to suggest a clear link between a positive test for cannabis and adverse driving, given the minute levels of the drug detected in roadside tests. "When they introduced random breath testing, the road toll decreased massively. When they introduced seatbelt laws, there was a reduction in the road toll,” said Heilpern. “I have seen nothing to show that there is any reduction in the road toll as a result of the thousands and thousands of people who are appearing before courts for historic use of cannabis." Cannabis has been legal in Australia for years now. Doctors at MediCann Clinics, the clinic prescribing Zammitt must advise patients that they cannot legally drive if there is any THC in their system. Clinic founder, Matthew Shales gets first-hand reports of the very real frustrations that come from drug driving laws as they stand. Shales is a committed advocate for his patients’ right to not be discriminated against with the current driving laws in Australia prohibiting cannabis from being present in the system. “Unfortunately, as the rules currently stand, we have to advise our patients that they cannot legally drive if there is any THC in their system, even if they are not impaired,” said Shales. “This has negative impacts for patients by either forcing isolation through not being able to drive or through a heightened level of anxiety for the patients that choose to drive, which is the opposite outcome we are hoping to achieve by prescribing patients medicinal cannabis. NSW Government’s controversial mobile drug testing program has come under scrutiny following a recent study released by the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney, comparing the length of time in which someone is likely to be impaired by cannabis to the duration of the time it can be detected in their system. The study found that a user’s impairment is likely to last three to 10 hours but can be detected in the body for weeks after consumption. Currently, a medicinal driving defence amendment - The Road Transport Amendment Bill (Medicinal Cannabis – Exemptions from Offences) Bill, 2021 is before parliament in deliberation with NSW Greens MP, Cate Faehrmann heading up the passing of the Bill in the near future. The strength of which is geared around gathering traction of enough support through the committee report. However, questions remain on what experts are to be heard from and ultimately, who is responsible for the final decision. Here, the fight continues as to whether those who require medical cannabis can be free to drive without fear of a positive roadside drug test. “Current driving laws in Australia are forcing patients to choose between their medicine or their independence. We are trying to improve the quality of life for our patients, yet the ancient driving laws currently in place make it exceedingly hard to do so.” said Shales. Zammitt and Stolk’s current case is not without precedent. Theirs is not dissimilar to that of the 2018 actions of comedy group and tv show The Chasers who projected radio broadcaster Alan Jones phone number alongside "Advertise Here, Call Alan'' on the same very sails of the Opera House on which Zammitt and Stolk would later be charged for ‘advertising’. Despite the widespread media coverage, The Chasers were not investigated by police. Zammitt and Stolk have been issued infringement notices relating to offences that uniquely apply only to the Opera House under obscure legislation known as the Sydney Opera House Trust By-law 2021. Similar legislation titled 2015 applied at the time of The Chasers projection. The maximum fine for the infringements against Zammitt and Stolk is $1,100 for each offence and is set for a hearing on 20 December. Contact Details News Direct Newsroom newsroom@newsdirect.com

July 25, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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