Featured Stories
– Should Iowa bars and restaurants that sell THC beverages be held more accountable?
– The United States will change the way people are categorized by race and ethnicity. This is the first revision in 27 years.
– Event venue opens near Anamosa
Episode transcription
Will Iowa bars and restaurants that sell THC beverages have to face greater liability going forward? The proposed bill would increase and expand liquor liability insurance to cover THC beverages.
And since then, the U.S. government is changing the way people are categorized by race and ethnicity.
Additionally, an event venue will open near Anamosa
Welcome to the Friday, March 29th edition of the Gazette Daily News Podcast. This podcast provides a quick look at the latest headlines from The Gazette newsroom. I'm Bailey Cichon.
First, a bill was introduced this week by an Iowa Senate subcommittee that would increase and expand liquor liability insurance to cover THC beverages. Under Senate Consideration Bill 3195, Iowa bars, taprooms and restaurants that serve alcohol would face greater civil liability and insurance requirements if they also sell THC beverages. This would expand the state's “dram shop” law to apply to consumable hemp products. “Dram shop” laws impose civil liability for selling alcohol to clearly intoxicated or minors.
The bill would increase the cap on non-economic damages for pain and suffering to $500,000 for people who are injured after being overserved while intoxicated. This applies to stores that provide consumable hemp products, such as hemp-based THC seltzers, to inebriated people who have been overserved and hurt someone after leaving the store. Currently, that limit is $250,000. There is no cap on economic damages, such as compensation for lost wages or medical expenses.
Eric Goranson, lobbyist for the Iowa Restaurant Association, expressed concern about how establishments train their staff to detect if someone is intoxicated with THC. Goransson also considered the impact the proposal would have on insurance premiums for bars, restaurants and other establishments in Iowa.
Goransson said: There are so many extra variables here that if we don't get this right, we feel like we're going to be responsible for all sorts of actions that have nothing to do with what we're doing. ”
Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, said he is concerned about how the combination of alcohol and THC-infused drinks can intensify the effects. Dawson said it seems appropriate that establishments that sell cannabis products for consumption should be subject to higher liability.
Mr Dawson said: “…this is a different product. There is a delayed reaction. This works differently than (alcohol), so retailers have to take some responsibility for this if they sell these. not.”
Hemp was federally legalized in 2018. This opens the door to commercial production of hemp-based products, such as cannabis-infused soda climbing kites. Most drinks on shelves today contain between 5 and 10 milligrams of THC. Although hemp is limited by THC concentration, there is no limit to the number of milligrams that can be made into an individual product.
Second, the U.S. government is changing the way it categorizes people by race and ethnicity to more accurately count residents who identify as Hispanic and of Middle Eastern and North African descent.
Under the latest revision, questions about race and ethnicity, which were previously asked separately on the form, will be combined into one question. Now you will have the option to select multiple categories at once, such as “Black,” “American Indian,” and “Hispanic.” Research shows that many Hispanic people understand that race and ethnicity are similar, so they don't know how to answer questions about race when asked separately. I know. Research shows that Hispanic respondents are more likely to choose the words “other race” at the end of a question or not answer the question at all.
Additionally, a Middle Eastern and North African category will be added to the selection of race and ethnicity questions. In the past, people from countries such as Lebanon, Iran, Egypt and Syria were encouraged to identify as white. From now on, you will have the option to identify yourself within the new group.
Next, a new event center is coming to Anamosa. The recreational vehicle lot will be transformed into the Abba Center, a venue for weddings, parties and other gatherings. Located on Highways 151 and 1 approximately 8 miles west of the Jones County community. Owner Matt Linn expects the center to open in May, with an open house in June. Lin said the 2.7-acre property was purchased in June 2023 and construction began in October. He estimated the project would cost about $2.5 million. Lin entered the events business 15 years ago. He also owns Brosh His Chapel Funeral Home and Abba Center Event Venue in Cedar Rapids and Solon. His company also manages his two facilities in Iowa City.
Lin said the Anamosa Center will feature a variety of event spaces, a full-service beverage lounge, an outdoor bar area and a private outdoor patio with wedding backdrops and a music bandshell.
Mr Lin said: Our focus is providing white label catering to a variety of locations as well as hosting events in the greater Eastern Iowa area. ”
The facility will have two or three full-time employees, but Lin expects that number to grow to five or more.
As always, links to each story featured in today's episode can be found in the episode description or on Gazette.com.
So let's take a look at the weather in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It will be cloudy today. The expected high temperature is 50 degrees and the low temperature is 31 degrees. Saturday will be cloudy. The expected high temperature is 57 degrees and the low temperature is 42 degrees. It will be cloudy on Sunday. The expected high temperature is 53 degrees and the low temperature is 42 degrees.
Thank you for listening to the Gazette Daily News Podcast. Get the latest news from Eastern Iowa at Gazette.com. I'm Bailey Cichon.
Comment: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com
