Dec 12, 2019 - Sports

MLB to remove marijuana from list of abuse drugs, test for opioids, cocaine

Photo: Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Major League Baseball announced on Thursday plans to remove marijuana from its list of drugs of abuse, instead treating it the same as alcohol, ESPN reports.

But, but, but: The league will begin testing for opioids and cocaine, but only players who refuse to cooperate with treatment plans will be subject to disciplinary action. Testing was previously limited to performance enhancing drugs and prohibited stimulants.

Between the lines: Considerations for opioid testing began after Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died following the consumption of a mix of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone, per ESPN.

Easing marijuana rules also had some notable motives: "Moves by some states to legalize marijuana use factored into the change," ESPN notes.

Go deeper: MLB's plan to overhaul its minor league system

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Barak Ravid

2 mins ago - World

U.S. threatens UN peacekeeping veto for Lebanon over Hezbollah concerns

Peacekeepers with Lebanese troops in southern Lebanon. Photo: Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty

The Trump administration is threatening to veto a resolution to extend the UN's long-standing peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon if its mandate isn't changed, Israeli and U.S. officials tell me.

Why it matters: The U.S. is the main funder of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has an annual budget of $250 million. The veto threat is a tactical move, and part of a broader effort to put pressure on Iran and its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah.

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Axios

Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 10:30 a.m. ET: 20,388,408 — Total deaths: 743,599— Total recoveries: 12,616,973 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 10:30 a.m. ET: 5,150,590 — Total deaths: 164,681 — Total recoveries: 1,714,960 — Total tests: 63,252,257 — Map.
Business: U.S. already feeling effects of ending unemployment benefits — U.S. producer prices rose last month by the most since October 2018.
Public health: America is flying blind on its coronavirus response.

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Fadel Allassan

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump congratulates QAnon conspiracy theorist on GOP runoff win

Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump on Wednesday tweeted congratulations to Marjorie Taylor Greene, a vocal QAnon conspiracy theorist who won the Republican nomination in Georgia's deep-red 14th Congressional District runoff.

Why it matters: The president's approval illustrates how the once-fringe conspiracy theory has gained ground within the GOP. Greene is among the at least 11 GOP candidates for Congress who have openly supported or defended the QAnon movement or some of its tenets, per Axios' Jacob Knutson.