Sensimilla and Sensibility

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

Uber trains its customer service agents to "recognize and interrupt victim blaming attitudes."

The training guide states that people rarely lie about sexual assault — and that victims do not provoke attacks by what they wore or how much they drank.

Then Uber's lawyers walk into depositions and ask about the outfit, the heels, and the drink count.

A New York Times investigation reviewed thousands of pages of court records from the lawsuits — more than 4,000 of them — filed by passengers who say Uber failed to protect them from sexual violence during rides.

The pattern is not subtle.

In four different cases, in four different states, Uber's lawyers asked women what they wore that night. They counted drinks. They subpoenaed gynecological records and therapy notes. They deposed women's parents, exes, and therapists — in one deposition, an estranged father learned about his daughter's childhood abuse and her abortion from Uber's lawyer.

One plaintiff's driver pleaded guilty to ra**ng her while she was unconscious. He is in prison, serving ten years. Uber's court filings said she "conducted herself in a negligent and careless manner."

This is the same company that ended forced arbitration at the height of , promising to resolve claims "in a way that is best for the survivor."

Per the Times, when the lawsuits mounted and pandemic revenue collapsed, the internal math changed: fighting survivors was cheaper.

Uber says it has a right to defend itself, that probing past trauma is "standard practice" when plaintiffs claim emotional damages, and that its lawyers treat survivors with dignity.

Here's what that looks like in practice: in Texas, a driver was convicted of sexual assault — affirmed on appeal — and Uber's filings still call it an "alleged incident."

A Stanford law professor told the Times that Uber's strategy "recycles an old and ugly script": she drank, she rode alone, it was late, maybe she's to blame.

One survivor, after trial: "It just made me feel like coming forward was a mistake."

And if the script sounds familiar, it should. We’ve all heard it before.

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

Gilroy, California — the “Garlic Capital of the World” — is known for its massive garlic farming industry. Lately, I’ve received a flood of submissions from Gilroy residents about the 438,500-square-foot Amazon Web Services facility currently under construction and expected to go live by late 2026. People are upset and deeply concerned about transparency, strain on the power grid, and the project’s water and diesel generator usage. Gilroy, I see you and I hear you.

08/06/2026

In The Lowest Ferns in West Bottoms KC is now Safe Trained! Last year, we trained management and we were happy to go back and train the rest of the staff! Want to get your staff trained to recognize behaviors that may lead to sexual violence and learn to intervene? Request a presentation! ⬇️

08/06/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Media Contacts:
Jay Patel, MoH**p Trade Association
Phone: 314-368-9255
Email: [email protected]

Nick Warrender, Lifted Liquids, Inc.
Phone: 224-577-8148
Email: [email protected]

Craig Katz, MNG 2005, Inc.
Phone: 314-778-8444
Email: [email protected]

Missouri H**p Businesses File Federal Lawsuit Challenging HB 2641
Coalition of h**p businesses argues HB 2641 is legally contradictory, conflicts with federal law, and leaves existing legal businesses with no path to comply. Plaintiffs ask the federal court to block the law before it takes effect.

ST. LOUIS, MO. — A coalition of h**p businesses filed a federal lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri challenging Missouri House Bill 2641, arguing the law conflicts with federal law, contains contradictory provisions, and leaves existing legal h**p businesses with no path to continue operating.

If allowed to take effect, HB 2641 threatens hundreds of Missouri businesses and farmers, thousands of jobs across the state, and consumers who rely on h**p products for pain and stress reduction will be left without relief.

The Plaintiffs are the MoH**p Trade Association, which represents h**p businesses across Missouri; Lifted Liquids, Inc., a Wisconsin-based manufacturer and distributor of h**p products; and MNG 2005, Inc., a St. Louis-based retailer, manufacturer, and distributor with 55 stores in five states. The lawsuit asks the court to declare HB 2641 unconstitutional and prevent it from taking effect before its November 12, 2026, effective date.

NO PATH TO COMPLY
Under HB 2641, h**p-derived products could be cultivated, manufactured, transported, and sold in Missouri only by entities holding ma*****na licenses issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services. However, those licenses are capped and unavailable to existing h**p businesses, leaving legal operators with no legal path to obtain licenses.

As a result, HB 2641 does not regulate Missouri's h**p industry. It eliminates it and hands the market to a closed group of existing ma*****na license holders.

"For more than 13 years, we've built our business by following Missouri law and advocating for common sense h**p regulations, including age restrictions, testing requirements, and accurate labeling.” said David Palatnik, President of MNG 2005 Inc. “HB 2641 is the first law we can't comply with because it wasn't written to be complied with. There is no license we can apply for. There is no standard we can meet. There is no clarity in the conflicting definitions. Businesses that have operated legally in Missouri for years are simply left with no lawful path forward and forced to watch everything they’ve built be handed to someone else.”

A LAW SO CONTRADICTORY IT EXPOSES LAWFUL BUSINESSES TO CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT
HB 2641's text contradicts itself on the most basic question a law can answer: what it applies to.

HB 2641 defines the same products as both "h**p" and "ma*****na" in different provisions, promises not to interfere with interstate h**p commerce while restricting who may transport h**p products through the state, and contains effective date provisions so convoluted that businesses cannot determine which products are covered or when.

Because unlicensed ma*****na activity is a crime in Missouri, that confusion carries criminal consequences. HB 2641 leaves businesses, law enforcement, and prosecutors alike guessing about what conduct is legal. Additionally, despite being titled the "Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act," the law as written reaches all h**p-derived cannabinoid products, sweeping in even non-intoxicating products such as CBD.

"This isn't consumer protection. It's the elimination of an entire legal industry coupled with a government-mandated monopoly,” said Jay Patel, MoH**p Trade Association President. “Missouri small businesses are left in utter confusion while the state gives the market to a closed system of big ma*****na businesses. Ultimately, Missouri consumers will pay more and have fewer options.”

A DIRECT CONFLICT WITH FEDERAL LAW
The lawsuit further alleges HB 2641 is preempted by the federal Farm Bill, in which Congress legalized h**p nationally and expressly prohibited states from blocking the transportation of legal h**p products through their borders.

HB 2641 would redefine federally legal h**p products as "ma*****na" under Missouri law and restrict their transport, even shipments merely passing through the state, to Missouri ma*****na licensees.

"Congress made clear that states cannot block federally legal h**p shipments,” said Nick Warrender, CEO of Lifted Liquids. “HB 2641 would do exactly that and force companies like ours to reroute federally lawful shipments around an entire state. "

WHAT’S AT STAKE?
If HB 2641 takes effect as written, Missouri faces the loss of businesses built over decades, including retail locations, manufacturing facilities, and distribution networks, along with the Missouri jobs those operations support and millions of dollars in annual economic activity across the state.


ABOUT THE MOHEMP TRADE ASSOCIATION 
The MoH**p Trade Association works to defend and strengthen Missouri's h**p industry by advocating for fair regulation and protecting everyone it serves, from farmers and processors to retailers and consumers. Through education, legislative engagement, and collaboration, it unites stakeholders to safeguard local jobs, businesses, and agricultural communities across the state.

ABOUT LIFTED LIQUIDS, INC. (Urb)
Kenosha, Wisconsin-based Lifted Made is the creator of award-winning h**p-derived products under the Urb brand. The company develops high-quality products that combine creativity and innovation with affordability. Lifted Made is the wholly owned subsidiary of publicly traded LFTD Partners Inc.

ABOUT MNG 2005, INC
Founded in St. Louis, MNG 2005, Inc. is a Missouri manufacturer, retailer, and distributor of federally legal h**p-derived wellness products. The company operates 55 retail locations across five states while maintaining manufacturing and distribution operations in Missouri.


EDITOR'S NOTE: The complaint will be filed and available on Thursday, July 16. The filed copy will be distributed to the media. For more information or to arrange an interview with any of the three plaintiffs, contact Kitty Kurth at 312-617-7288 or [email protected].

08/06/2026

It was originally thought to be the doing of a local prankster