How high is too high?

States weigh just how much pot is a problem; the stars fail to align for the European Super League.   Tonight's Sentences was written by Greg Svirnovskiy. TOP NEWS Lawmakers grapple with potency caps on THC products David McNew/Getty Images It's 2021. Cannabis is legal in many parts of the country. So now, states are finding ways to regulate its usage. In New York, Illinois, and Vermont, authorities have taken steps to impose taxes on or otherwise limit products with higher concentrations of THC. Supporters say that "this is not your Woodstock weed" and some cannabis products have dangerous levels of THC. [Associated Press / Jennifer Peltz] THC is the chemical in cannabis that is responsible for most of its psychological effects. It directs the brain to release dopamine, which creates a strong sense of euphoria, all while affecting the centers of the brain that control pleasure, movements, coordination, thinking, and concentration. [Life Science / Alina Bradford] The potency of THC in cannabis products has tripled in recent decades. A study of 38,681 samples of cannabis confiscated by the Drug Enforcement Agency from 1995 to 2014 found that THC concentration increased from 4 percent to 12 percent by 2014. [US National Library of Medicine] When cannabis was legalized in Colorado in 2014, it was mostly sold in flower form. By 2019, concentrates with high THC levels took up roughly a third of the market. [Denver Post / Alex Burness] Some researchers are finding that excessive use of products with high THC concentrations shares a correlation with psychotic episodes that may lead to schizophrenia. Opposing scientists and marijuana advocacy groups are wary of these claims, as USA Today noted in a review of the evidence in 2019. [USA Today / Jayne O'Donnell, Trevor Hughes, and Stephanie Innes] Advocates for looser restrictions contend that low potency caps would crush the industry and push users back to the black market. States have so far fallen on either side of the issue, with potency caps being solidified in Vermont, New York, and Illinois but failing to gain traction in Arizona and Washington. [Axios / John Frank] The swift rise and fall of the European Super League The European Super League collapsed in its first week after an immediate backlash from players, fans, managers, and television pundits all over Europe. The league would have included 12 of Europe's largest teams, such as Arsenal and FC Barcelona. [CNN / Matias Gretz] One particular outrage for fans: the possibility of the new league replacing the Champions League, with permanent teams and little chance for other groups to qualify. [Vox / Alex Ward] The Super League was pitched as a way to help the sport's struggles in the pandemic, but it would have widened an already disconcerting gap between Europe's wealthiest clubs and everyone else, while enriching soccer's owners. [Vox / Alex Ward] Rumors quickly swirled that Super League members could lose access to world tournaments. Even some prominent politicians were quick to denounce the Super League: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was exploring legal and political avenues to protect soccer's current leagues. [Yahoo Sports / Andrew Reid] A YouGov poll found that 68 percent of UK fans strongly opposed the Super League, as did 79 percent of UK fans of clubs outside the top six teams. [YouGov / Connor Ibbetson] The UK teams soon all exited the new pact. Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and A.C. Milan followed suit, bowing to international pressure and rejoining a soccer community that's lost respect for club owners and the institution leaders. The next few months will be rocky. [The Athletic] MISCELLANEOUS The European Union reached a major climate change agreement in advance of a virtual summit led by President Joe Biden this week. The 27-country block agreed on new emissions targets and is looking to make Europe the first fully carbon neutral continent by 2050. [Associated Press / Raf Casert] Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 95th birthday Wednesday, her first in over seven decades without her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, who died last week. She spent the day in mourning at Windsor Castle. [CNN / Lianne Kolirin] As Covid-19 surges continue in Europe, Italy has begun distributing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to every citizen over the age of 60, a key development in the country's bid to vaccinate its population. Only 2.2% of Italians over 70 have received shots, failing to curb deaths among the most vulnerable population. [Washington Post / Chico Harlan and Rick Noack] A South Korean court rejected a claim against Japan by South Korean victims of sexual slavery from Japanese soldiers in World War II. The court cited the international sovereignty of Japan in its ruling. [Al Jazeera] As the verdict was set to be read at Derek Chauvin's trial Tuesday, Ma'Khia Bryant, 16, was killed by police responding to a 911 call about an attempted stabbing in Southeastern Columbus. Her killing cast a pall over a day filled with displays of relief at Chauvin's conviction in George Floyd's murder. [New York Times / Neil Vigdor and Brian Pietsch] Support our journalism "I value the work Vox's staff does to keep me informed and better understand the news, especially through Vox Sentences and Today, Explained."   —Jono, Vox Contributor Contribute VERBATIM "This is a huge day for the world. We walked around with eyes wide shut for a long time, so they're starting to open today, and this is going to be the first in a future of change." [George Floyd's girlfriend Courteney Ross on the conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin] LISTEN TO THIS   Every day, untold numbers of strange organisms rise from the middle of the ocean to its surface. They may be playing a crucial role in slowing climate change, so scientists are struggling to understand this migration ... before it's too late. [Spotify] Read more from Vox   Why Chauvin's conviction matters   Now that Derek Chauvin has been convicted, here's what happens next   Why is it so hard to prosecute police? It starts with the investigation.   Germany contained Covid-19. Politics brought it back.   10 things we learned about Earth since the last Earth Day Facebook Twitter YouTube This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com. Manage your email preferences, or unsubscribe to stop receiving all emails from Vox. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution. View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.