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Florida A&M University and the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative announce Recipients of Medical Marijuana Research Grants

THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE — Florida A&M University (FAMU) today awarded 14 grants totaling $98,000 to more than 20 faculty members to conduct research on marijuana as it impacts diverse minority communities. This research is a component of the University’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI), which was launched in response to the Florida Legislature’s funding allocation to educate “minorities about marijuana for medical use and the impact of the unlawful use of marijuana on minority communities.”

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By Carma Henry

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – Florida A&M University (FAMU) today awarded 14 grants totaling $98,000 to more than 20 faculty members to conduct research on marijuana as it impacts diverse minority communities. This research is a component of the University’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI), which was launched in response to the Florida Legislature’s funding allocation to educate “minorities about marijuana for medical use and the impact of the unlawful use of marijuana on minority communities.” As part of the 2017 legislation, FAMU receives $10 for every $75 identification card purchased by individuals approved to buy medical marijuana.

MMERI Director Peter Harris, JD. says, “when it comes to Florida’s diverse minority communities, this is a critical initiative. FAMU is unique in this space and our research will guide policy in Florida. We are fortunate that the Florida Legislature understands the vital role FAMU can play.”

MMERI Research Chair and Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences, Cynthia Hughes-Harris, Ph.D. says, “As the use of both prescribed and illegal marijuana becomes more prevalent in our society, many questions have arisen as to how marijuana can and should be used. These questions are particularly important to marijuana use in minority communities. The primary approach to answering these questions is through formal research processes conducted by experienced researchers. FAMU is particularly qualified to address these issues due to the talents and skills of FAMU faculty, as researchers and as educators, combined with our understanding of the target communities throughout the state of Florida.”

This first round of research funding will enable FAMU to build a repository of information for medical marijuana education and research. Among the objectives of the repository are to establish the University as a touchstone center for marijuana information, fill in the gaps in medical marijuana research particularly as it relates to diverse communities and to inform public policy, in Florida and beyond, about the impact and issues presented by the developing marijuana industry.

Faculty members from such disciplines as agriculture, allied health, architecture, law, pharmacy, business, and social sciences will conduct funded research. The grantees were selected by an impartial panel of experienced FAMU researchers and content experts who rated each application on objective criteria appropriate to the goals of the grant. Each grant award is $7,000.  The research projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2020.

The research focus and the awardees are:

  • Knowledge and Perception of Pediatric Cancer Patients and Caregivers on Medical Marijuana, Aksal Ali, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy.
  • Assessing Disparate Impacts: The Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Florida and the Legal Implications for Florida’s African American Communities, Jeffrey Brown, J.D., Associate Professor, College of Law.
  • Marijuana, Mental Health, and FAMU, DeAnna Burney, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Huijin Li, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Assistant Director, Center for Ethnic Psychological Research and Application, Department of Psychology.
  • Medical Marijuana Dispensary Locations and Neighborhood Crime, Andrew Chin, Interim Dean, School of Architecture and Engineering Technology.
  • Exploring Black Entrepreneurs’ Access to Opportunities in the Medical Marijuana Industry, Jennifer Collins, Ph.D., Assistant Dean and Associate Professor, School of Business and Industry and LaTanya White, MBA, Instructor, School of Business and Industry.
  • The Effects of Medical Marijuana Use by Multiple Sclerosis Patients on Select Measures of Muscular Strength and Endurance, Dr. Brian Hickey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Physical Education.
  • Assessing the Knowledge and Perceptions of Community Members Specific to the Compassionate Use of Marijuana, Marisa Lewis, Pharm.D., MPH, Associate Professor, School of Allied Health Sciences and Lon’Tejuana Cooper, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Allied Health Sciences.
  • Mixed Methods Study of Medical Marijuana Use Among Minority Patients, John Luque, Ph.D., MPH, Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Arinzechukwu Okere, PharmD, MS, MBA, BPCS, Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • Assessing African Americans Preference and Willingness to Pay Values for Medical Marijuana as a Treatment for Cancer…a Minority Perspective, Carmen Lyttle-Nguessa, Ph.D., College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Gilbert Queely, Ph.D., Research Associate, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences and Cassel Gardner, Ph.D., Professor, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences.
  • Increasing Minority Access to Medical Marijuana (MM): Simplifying the Process Through Research, Outreach, and Education, Gilbert Queely, Ph.D., Research Associate, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences
  • An Investigation on Marijuana Consumption in the Construction Industry in Florida, Behnam Shadravan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Engineering Technology
  • To What Extent Do Mental Health and Psychosocial Factors Predict Risk for Misuse and Neuropsychological Impairment in African American Marijuana Users, Gwendolyn Singleton, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology.
  • Marijuana Wellness Intervention for Community, Coping, Substance-Awareness, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Regulation Enhancement via Education, Novell Tani, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Arie Christon, Department of Psychology.
  • Investigating Levels of Awareness of Medical Marijuana and the Correlation to Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms Within the Criminal Justice System, Gari Tookes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work.

This article originally appeared in The Westside Gazette. 

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Black History

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Celebrates New North Atlantic Regional Director

WASHINGTON INFORMER — As the 36th Regional Director, Dr. Ringgold will serve on the Alpha Kappa Alpha 18-member Board of Directors and will assist in the implementation of policies and programs under the leadership of International President and Chief Executive Officer Charletta Wilson Jacks.

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Dr. Tonja L. Ringgold, an educator and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA), was installed as North Atlantic Regional Director during the organization’s 72nd Biennial International Convention on July 23 in Las Vegas.

Dr. Tonja L. Ringgold, an educator and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA), was installed as North Atlantic Regional Director during the organization’s 72nd Biennial International Convention on July 23 in Las Vegas.

Dr. Ringgold will serve a two-year term overseeing one of the Sorority’s largest and most historic regions. With more than 17,000 members, the Notable North Atlantic is the birthplace of the sorority, which was established on Jan. 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

“I am excited and humbled by the faith placed in me to lead,” said Dr. Ringgold. “I welcome the opportunity to give back to this illustrious Sisterhood that has poured so much into me.”

The North Atlantic Region, one of the sorority’s 10 regions in the United States and abroad, comprises undergraduate and graduate chapters in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, eastern New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

As the 36th Regional Director, Dr. Ringgold will serve on the Alpha Kappa Alpha  18-member Board of Directors and will assist in the implementation of policies and programs under the leadership of International President and Chief Executive Officer Charletta Wilson Jacks.

Her previous sorority leadership includes serving as the North Atlantic Regional Representative to the International Program Committee and as North Atlantic Region Program Chairman. She also served as president of Epsilon Omega Chapter in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Ringgold represents four generations of Alpha Kappa Alpha women, all initiated into the Alpha Delta Chapter at Morgan State University. She was initiated in 1982, following in the footsteps of her cousin and Alpha Delta Charter member, Mary Anita Short Wheatley, and her mother, Mary Jane Briscoe Short, a life member of the Sorority with 67 years of service. Her daughter Ashley R. Davy was initiated into the Alpha Delta Chapter in 2011.

A nationally recognized educator, Dr. Ringgold has spent more than three decades in higher education. She is a retired Vice President of Academic Affairs within the Community College system and is a faculty member in the Morgan State University’s Community College Leadership Doctoral Program. She also serves as president and CEO of En-Sight Educational and Management Consultants.

She holds a doctorate degree in education, master’s degrees in Applied Psychology, Management, Business Administration, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

In addition to her Alpha Kappa Alpha service, Dr. Ringgold is president of the Baltimore County Chapter of The Pierians, Incorporated; a member of the National Council on Black American Affairs; and a member of the Coalition of 100 Black Women.

She resides in Parkville, Maryland.



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Community

Scotland Defeats Haiti 1-0 in World Cup Opener

MEDIASHIFT NEWSROOM MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY — Despite Haiti’s dominance in possession, holding 54 percent of the ball, they struggled to convert opportunities, managing only two shots on goal from a total of 15 attempts.

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Photo courtesy Morgan State University.

AI-Assisted Report | Morgan State University

In a tightly contested Group Stage encounter of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Scotland emerged victorious over Haiti with a 1-0 win, thanks to a decisive strike from John McGinn in the 28th minute at Boston Stadium.

The contest marked a historic night for each team, with Scotland collecting its first victory in the tournament since 1990.

And this is Scotland’s first victory in a World Cup opener since their 5-2 win over New Zealand at the 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain.

Both teams had spent many years on the sidelines as others qualified for the World Cup and four-year windows passed. Haiti qualifed for this tournament for the first time since 1974, while Scotland returned to action for the first time since 1998 in France.

An expanded tournament draw of 48 teams during this North American event helped both teams earn entrance.

Disappointed by the loss, the Haitians have another day to play, as its second Group Stage match comes against Brazil on June 19 at Philadelphia Stadium.

Looking for a better outcome, they will want to play with the same plucky toughness that kept them in this match.

Despite Haiti’s dominance in possession, holding 54 percent of the ball, they struggled to convert opportunities, managing only two shots on goal from a total of 15 attempts.

The Haitian side, led by forward pressure, forced Scotland to defend robustly, but Scottish goalkeeper David Marshall’s assured presence denied scoring opportunities.

Scotland’s organized defense and tactical discipline were exemplified by their equal number of shots on goal, though with fewer total attempts at nine.

Aaron Hickey received a yellow card early in the second half, marking a critical moment as Scotland maintained composure amidst Haiti’s spirited efforts.

The match saw a flurry of substitutions in the latter stage. Notably, Lyle Shankland, Ben Gannon-Doak, and Che Adams were introduced simultaneously by Scotland to fortify the midfield and attack.

Haiti pushed back with substitutions of their own, including the introduction of Deedson Louicius and Wilfried Isidor, trying to change the dynamic upfront.

However, defensive solidity and a disciplined Scottish side prevailed, maintained by a late yellow card to Kenny McLean as the match wound to a conclusion.

John McGinn’s solitary goal, coupled with strategic gameplay and resilient defense, secured Scotland a crucial three points in the group standings.

About the Game

Welcome to the world of the FIFA World Cup, a global football tournament. Football, also known as soccer in some countries, is a team sport played by two teams of 11 players each on an outdoor field.

The main goal is to score more goals than the opposing team. A goal is scored when the ball is kicked into the opposing team’s large net, called the goal.

Games last 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a short break in between called halftime. Players use their feet to kick the ball, but they can also use their heads or other parts of the body, except their hands and arms.

Only the goalkeeper, who stays near the goal to try to stop shots, can use hands within a specific area called the penalty box. Some important terms you’ll hear include “offside,” which is when a player is in an illegal position closer to the opponent’s goal than the ball and the second last opponent, and “fouls,” which are rule violations leading to free kicks or penalty kicks, depending on where they occur.

The FIFA World Cup occurs every four years and is considered the most prestigious football competition in the world. In 2026, teams from around the globe compete for the title.

The tournament is structured with a group stage followed by knockout rounds. Initially, teams are divided into groups and each team plays against the others in its group.

Teams earn points for each match: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. The best teams advance to the knockout stage, where they compete in direct elimination matches until only one team remains as the champion.

The World Cup is exciting because it brings nations together in a celebration of culture and sport, showcasing the best talents and fostering international camaraderie.

Understanding these basics helps you follow the matches and enjoy the thrilling spectacle of the world’s most-watched sporting event.



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Entertainment

Ivory Coast Finds the Net Late Securing a 1-0 Victory Over Ecuador

MEDIASHIFT NEWSROOM MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY — Ecuador dominated possession with 55 percent and had a higher passing accuracy at 87 percent compared to Ivory Coast’s 83 percent, but failed to register a single shot on target.

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Photo courtesy Morgan State University.

AI-Assisted Report | Morgan State University

PHILADELPHIA – In a tightly contested FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage match, Côte d’Ivoire’s men’s national team (Ivory Coast) edged out Ecuador 1-0 thanks to a late goal from substitute Aboubacar Diallo.

The game, held on June 14 at Philadelphia Stadium, saw both teams struggle to create clear opportunities, with Les Éléphants managing only one shot on goal throughout the match.

They move forward with a much-anticiapted match against Germany on June 20 in Toronto.

Ecuador dominated possession with 55 percent and had a higher passing accuracy at 87 percent  compared to Ivory Coast’s 83 percent, but failed to register a single shot on target.

The first half progressed with intense midfield battles, evidenced by three yellow cards issued to Ivory Coast’s Seko Fofana, Franck Kessie, and Giacomo Doue.

Despite Ecuador’s tactical substitutions in the second half, including Alexander Minda and Jhegson Yeboah, they could not break the deadlock.

Les Éléphants breakthrough came in the 90th minute when Diallo converted their sole accurate effort into the match’s defining moment.

Ecuador’s goalkeeper made one save, but it was not enough to stop Ivory Coast from securing a crucial three points. Les Éléphants return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 and are making the nation’s fourth appearance.

The result leaves Ecuador needing to reassess their attacking strategies for upcoming matches if they are to progress further in the tournament.

About the Game

Welcome to the FIFA World Cup, a global football tournament. Football, also known as soccer in some countries, is a team sport played by two teams of 11 players each on an outdoor field.

The main goal is to score more goals than the opposing team. A goal is scored when the ball is kicked into the opposing team’s large net, called the goal. Games last 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a short break in between called halftime.

Players use their feet to kick the ball, but they can also use their heads or other parts of the body, except their hands and arms. Only the goalkeeper, who stays near the goal to try to stop shots, can use hands within a specific area called the penalty box.

Some important terms you’ll hear include “offside,” which is when a player is in an illegal position closer to the opponent’s goal than the ball and the second last opponent, and “fouls,” which are rule violations leading to free kicks or penalty kicks, depending on where they occur. The

FIFA World Cup occurs every four years and is considered the most prestigious football competition in the world. In 2026, teams from around the globe compete for the title.

The tournament is structured with a group stage followed by knockout rounds. Initially, teams are divided into groups and each team plays against the others in its group.

Teams earn points for each match: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. The best teams advance to the knockout stage, where they compete in direct elimination matches until only one team remains as the champion.

The World Cup is exciting because it brings nations together in a celebration of culture and sport, showcasing the best talents and fostering international camaraderie.

Understanding these basics helps you follow the matches and enjoy the thrilling spectacle of the world’s most-watched sporting event.



Continue Reading

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