Sports
Cannabis Retailers Must Face College Athlete’s Psychosis Claims
A former champion college athlete and aspiring Olympian known for his prowess in track and field events has advanced his lawsuit that blames cannabis retailers for his cannabis-induced psychosis that led to a suicide attempt.
A New Jersey state judge has permitted Andrew Liskowitz to amend his complaint after finding that his allegations that the retailers sold unsafe hemp products and failed to provide adequate warnings about their dangers in violation of the New Jersey Products Liability Act (PLA) can proceed.
At the same time, Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Chad N. Cagan agreed to the retailers’ motion to dismiss claims that they also violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
Regarding the product liability allegations, the retailers maintain that they are entitled to immunity as sellers under the state law and that Liskowitz cannot identify a product design or warning defect as a proximate cause his condition.
Plaintiff Liskowitz argues that the sellers are not entitled to immunity and that the hemp products they sold to him were inherently defective. He also claims he can prove they were the proximate cause of his psychosis.
The defendants include 732 Vape, The Green Room, Dynasty Smokes, Lang’s Liquor, Kali Bloom, Galaxy Treats, Apollo Sciences, Xite Edibles, and Delta Technologies.
Liskowitz Experience
Liskowitz holds a number of college records for the shot put. He is a three-time Big 10 champion, six-time All-American and a sixth place finisher in the 2021 Olympic trials. At one point he was ranked among the top 25 in the world.
Starting in July of 2022, and for a few months, Liskowitz bought various hemp products such as consumable edibles as well as disposable vapes from the retailers in his home state of New Jersey. He then followed his college track and field coach to Louisiana to continue his professional career on September 20, 2022. He brought the New Jersey products to Louisiana and purchased and consumed similar products in Louisiana for a few weeks.
According to his complaint, on October 30, 2022, his roommates took him to a hospital in Baton Rouge because they said he was acting in alarming manner. He was diagnosed with “substance-induced psychosis: generalized anxiety; cannabis use.” This was his first notice that his cannabis hemp use was the source of his problem. The plan upon discharge was to return home to New Jersey and attend a rehabilitation facility. Liskowitz and his parents took a car service from the airport. At this time he believed that he had made a plan to turn himself in to the FBI to be taken away to jail. Not wanting to go to prison himself or have his family suffer because of him, while going over the Driscoll Bridge he jumped out of the window of the car, then jumped off the 135-foot bridge, landing headfirst in the Raritan River, trying to end his life. He survived, but he suffered knee and shoulder injuries and extensive road rash. A hospital treated him for “recent acute psychosis following synthetic cannabinoid use” and he was then admitted to a psychiatric facility due to continued psychosis. He is now out of the psychosis but still needs to recover physically and mentally.
Hemp Products
After the federal 2018 Farm Bill legalized the cultivation of hemp and hemp derivatives, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture established a hemp licensing program to promote the cultivation and processing of hemp. Liskowitz argues that the intent of the 2018 Farm Bill was never to legalize intoxicating cannabis products. However, a number of businesses “have been exploiting gaps in legal language and prioritizing personal profit over public health and safety” with the creation and sale of new types of potent cannabinoids. “As a result, intoxicating and possibly impure hemp derived cannabinoids have proliferated in communities across the country and are sold in gas stations, convenience stores, smoke shops and online, often in ways that are made both accessible and attractive. By producing and selling these products the defendants caused plaintiff to suffer cannabis-induced psychosis (CIP),” he alleges in his complaint.
According to sources cited in the complaint, CIP is an acute psychological event that can require years of treatment. It appears to be caused by THC (the tetrahydrocannabinol compound in cannabis) exposures or impurities, which can damage the portions of the brain that allow a person to distinguish reality from delusion. Even people who recover from CIP may incur lasting brain damage and have mental health issues for the rest of their life.
Liskowitz alleges that the hemp products he bought are not safe and are defective. The only warnings on the product labels were about pregnancy or operating heavy machinery; no labels contained any information about causing hallucinations or psychosis, according to his lawsuit.
Retailers’ Defense
The retailers argue that they did not design, manufacture, assemble, inspect, package, label or market the products. The only thing they did is sell them, for which they insist the New Jersey PLA confers an immunity.
They also argue that the products they sold are entirely legal and in compliance with all regulations, noting that the state deemed these products safe and determined the specific warnings and regulations required to appear upon them.
“To the extent Plaintiff alleges the products were incorrectly deemed safe or contained improper warnings, these are claims properly against the New Jersey agencies making such determinations, not against the mom-and-pop businesses selling items compliant products,” the defendants argue.
The defendants contend that Liskowitz “obviously has gripes and an axe to grind” with the marijuana/cannabis/hemp industry. However, they add, the claims he raises concern issues the federal and state governments must address, and with which they, as convenience stores, have no connection.
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Sports
Gulf Coast hosts Senior Match for local high school volleyball all-stars
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – The Gulf Coast volleyball program hosted a senior match for high school players from across our region Sunday afternoon.
this basically like an all-star game, and an all-star lineup of players. Mosley, North Bay Haven, South Walton, Liberty, Chipley among other schools represented in Sunday’s match.
In total, 35 seniors were selected based on nominations from different head coaches. Gulf Coast head coach Scott Allen telling us this was the second year they’ve held the senior match, the first in 2023.
Coach also saying how great this event is for the players and parents of the seniors competing, to see them play one more time.
“Well we think it’s great to give the senior class in this area just one more chance to pull the jersey on and come out and play, play with some of their teammates and some of the other great players in the area. Get a chance for them and their families to see the facilities that we have. We are really proud of what Gulf Coast State has to offer, and it’s a good fundraising event for us.” Coach Allen said.
“We’ve seen it in some other areas, a senior all-star match, in some other areas and there wasn’t one here in this area. So I thought, well, let’s provide the service if there’s nothing there, and so it just worked out really well for us. The area supported it, supports it, really well. The players love coming, the coaches love being here too, and the families, it was pretty packed last time, we are still filing in behind me a little bit, so we’ll see if the rain and a Sunday has us damped down a little bit. But hopefully everyone will start filing in, they’re going to see some great volleyball and buy some hoodies and some popcorn at the concession stand, it’ll be a good day.” Coach Allen said.
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Sports
Jaguars Women’s Track & Field Posts Multiple Top-10 Finishes to Launch Inaugural Indoor Campaign
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University women’s track and field team opened its inaugural indoor season on Saturday at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off, competing against a deep field of Division I and Division II programs at JDL Fast Track. The Jaguars produced a strong slate of early-season marks across sprints, middle distance, and distance events, highlighted by a top-three 5,000-meter finish from Madison Thomas and multiple top-10 performances.
Sprint Group Opens Season With Strong 200 and 400 Marks
Freshman Madison Mitchell paced Augusta in the 200 meters with a time of 26.15, placing 17th overall. Fellow freshman Taneiha Bowman followed in 26.72. Sophomore Josalyn Branch also opened her season in the event.
In the 400 meters, freshman Ava Adams led the group with a 1:01.25 to finish 13th. Sophomore Janiya England added a 1:03.98 in her season debut. Freshman Thanna Davis delivered Augusta’s fastest 400 of the day, placing 10th in the seeded section in 58.67.
Middle-Distance Athletes Deliver Solid Early Times
Freshman Brie Andrews opened her indoor campaign in the 800 meters, finishing 20th in 2:28.67.
Augusta’s mile group produced one of the most complete team showings of the meet, placing five runners inside the top 25. Freshman Josabeth Graciano led the Jaguars in 5:15.54 for seventh, followed by freshman Caleigh Munro in ninth at 5:19.12. Freshman Gabriella Burton placed 15th in 5:26.02, with juniors Grace Gyetko (5:32.02) and Cheyenne Ryan (5:38.46) rounding out the group.
Distance Squad Secures Five Top-10 Finishes in the 5,000 Meters
Junior Madison Thomas led Augusta with a third-place finish in the 5,000 meters, running 17:49.24. Sophomore Danielle Thayer placed seventh in 18:31.71, followed by sophomore Maria Biondolillo in eighth (19:05.37), freshman Amelia Ogden in ninth (19:14.81), and junior Swaye Mohler in tenth (19:27.44).
Sophomore Ansley Graddy and freshman Elkin Regina also opened their indoor seasons in the event.
In addition to this weekend’s performances, junior Madison Kennedy—reigning PBC Cross Country Runner of the Year—recorded the third-fastest 5K time in Outdoor Peach Belt Conference history this past fall.
Reed Leads Augusta in High Jump
Freshman Jamiya Reed cleared 1.44 meters (4-8.75) in the high jump to finish 14th in her collegiate debut. Freshman Paige Justice also competed in the event.
The team returns to Winston-Salem the following week for the ‘Twas the Meet Before Christmas on Friday, Dec. 12.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags
Sports
Nebraska volleyball advances to Sweet 16 with sweep of Kansas State
Dec. 7, 2025, 6:30 a.m. CT
Nebraska (32-0) entered the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, taking on Kansas State (18-10). Though the Wildcats put up a fight, the Huskers swept the night (25-17, 25-21, 25-16) to advance to the Sweet 16.
Nebraska struggled at times against the Kansas State defense, the Wildcats posted 14 blocks and 32 digs. This helped KSU stay in each set against the Huskers, even taking the lead multiple times. But Nebraska found itself out in front by the time it reached the red zone, allowing it to get the sweep.
The Huskers finished with 43 kills off 99 attacks for a .253 hitting percentage and posted 48 digs and eight blocks to hold Kansas State to .118 and 27 kills on 102 attacks. Nebraska also delivered seven service aces in the win.
Harper Murray and Andi Jackson co-led Nebraska, each delivering ten kills in the sweep. Murray also snatched six digs while Jackson posted a team-high three blocks and earned her ten kills off 15 attacks. Taylor Landfair hit 8-of-18 on the night, while Virginia Adriano finished 7-of-12 with a service ace.
Rebekah Allick posted six kills off 13 attacks for the Huskers, while Allie Sczech finished 2-of-4. Bergen Reilly tallied 34 set assists and a service ace. Laney Choboy and Olivia Mauch each delivered two service aces. The duo also combined for 25 digs, with Mauch earning 13 and Choboy grabbing 12.
Nebraska will host Kansas on Friday in the Sweet 16. The match is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
Sports
Devils Begin 2025-26 Season With Victory at SU Kickoff Open
WINCHESTER, Va. – The Dickinson men’s indoor track and field team opened up their 2025-26 slate in emphatic fashion on Sunday afternoon by winning the Shendandoah University Holiday Kickoff Open inside the James Wilkins Jr. Athletics & Events Center.
Sprints
Franklyn Akabi-During picked right up where he left off last season by winning the 60m with a time of 6.86, while Darian Crim joined him on the podium in third at 7.01. Josh Gould and Dominick Rosini claimed 23rd (7.42) and 33rd (7.68). With hurdles added to the distance Barrett Chalmers and Aidan Coyne hit the line in fifth (9.61) and sixth (9.68).
Akabi-During nabbed his second win of the day during the 200m thanks to a time of 22.07, followed right behind by Crim who took second at 22.69. Jack Shronk rounded out the Top-5 by crossing in 23.59. Owen Seveland claimed tenth (23.89) as Rosini, Coyne and Chalmers earned 18th (24.98), 24th (25.80) and 28th (26.17).
The trio of Shronk, Sveland and Benjamin Dench competed in the 400m securing eighth (52.67), ninth (53.10) and eleventh (55.07).
Distance
The 800m event was packed with Devils as the duo of Michael Dooley and James Masterson finished one (1:58.70) and two (1:58.92). Sean Harris (2:07.80), Matthew Gareau (2:08.93), Alexander Radishofski (2:09.49), Quinn Chewning (2:10.34), Jack Rickleman (2:11.37), Evan Feldman (2:14.86), Walker Crochet (2:16.09) and Dylan Elder (2:17.09) occupied spots seven through 14.
Two members of the Red and White were involved in the 3000m with Nathan Caldwell grabbing second (8:50.70), while Alexander Kane seized fourth (9:03.67).
Caldwell added another victory to the Devils ledger with a time of 15:09.29 in 5000m, followed by Kane at 15:26.76. Slots six to eleven were filled with Dickinson athletes thanks to Wiley Mulholland (16:38.98), Jacob Sokatch (16:40.39), Jad Jamaleddine (16:50.89), Matthew Colden (16:57.34) and Andrew Edwards (17:00.52). William Kane completed the group of Devils by hitting the line in 17:24.42 for 14th.
Dickinson filled the podium for the mile run as Avi Ghorai won the race in 4:47.45, followed by Crochet (4:50.52) and Griffin McConnville (4:51.54). The trio of Chewning (5th – 4:52.35), Feldman (7th – 4:58.49) and Jack Solovey (8th – 5:00.07) also competed in the event.
Relay
The Red and White put three different teams out for the 4x400m with the group of Akabi-During, Crim, Harris and Seveland taking second (3:29.02). The unit of Dooley, Gareau, Masterson and Shronk clocked in at 3:32.56 for fourth, while Chalmers, Coyne, Crochet and Radishofski earned sixth (3:47.17).
Field
Elder grabbed sixth in the high jump after clearing 1.48m.
Oliver Stroka posted another DC win during the weight throw by dropping down at 15.86m.
Three Devils tried the shot put with Daniel Echeverri grabbing fifth at 11.83m, followed by Stroka in eighth (10.79m) and Elder nabbing 16th (7.97m).
Up Next
Dickinson will next compete after the New Year holiday when they take part in the Moravian University Indoor Meet in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Saturday, January 17th beginning at 10am.
Sports
Point Loma Nazarene wins volleyball regional; Mesa’s season ends with loss
Third-seeded Point Loma Nazarene will play sixth-seeded Bentley at 10 a.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II women’s volleyball tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D.
PLNU advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for a second straight year Saturday night by defeating Fresno Pacific 3-1 in the Western Regionals championship hosted by the Sea Lions at Golden Gym.
Meanwhile, Mesa College was defeated 3-0 by Feather River College Sunday afternoon in the championship match of the California Community College Athletic Association women’s volleyball tournament in Folsom.
Top-seeded Feather River (36-1) won the state title for the third time in four years. Second-seeded Mesa College (31-2) had won 28 straight matches going into Sunday’s match. The Olympians won the state title in 2023 and lost in the semifinals in 2024.
Feather River swept by scores of 25-12, 25-19, 25-23. Mia Lundberg led Mesa with 10 kills and four digs. Charlotte Underwood had five kills and two digs while Bella Town (Carlsbad High) had five kills and two blocks. Ruby Ennis (Lakeside) had 17 assists and seven digs while Trina Nguyen (Mira Mesa High) had 11 digs.
Point Loma Nazarene (27-4) prevailed Saturday night by set scores of 25-17, 17-25, 25-16, 25-18. Fresno Pacific finished with a 27-2 record, with both losses coming to PLNU in Golden Gym.
Thursday’s match against Bentley (also 27-4) will also be a rematch. PLNU scored a four-set win over Bentley on Sept. 12 en route to winning the Colorado Premier Challenge Tournament in Denver.
Freshman middle blocker Hailey Clark paced PLNU against Fresno Pacific with 14 kills, while senior outside hitter Abigail Nua finished with 13 kills and a block, while sophomore outside hitter Saren Rogers (Victory Christian Academy) had 13 kills.
Junior setter Sophia Baugh had 50 assists and a service ace. Senior libero Macy Reynolds had 19 digs and freshman defensive specialist Hailey Wilson had 18 digs to 17 for freshman setter Jolyna Salas (Tri-City Christian).
Sports
Track & Field Teams Claim 19 Top-10 Finishes
Men’s Track & Field | 12/6/2025 7:48:00 PM
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> The Saint Francis track & field teams opened its indoor season at the Bison Opener.
>> Saint Francis compiled 19 top 10 finishes.
>> The Red Flash faced the following colleges: Shippensburg, Lock Haven, Bucknell, Carnegie Mellon, Lincoln (Pa.), West Chester, Millersville, Mount St. Mary’s, Penn State, Bloomsburg, and Indiana (Pa.)
FLASH WOMEN NUGGETS
The women’s team accumulated seven top 10 performances.
Olivia Renk finished second in the 200-meter and fourth in the 60-meter on the women’s side. The sophomore clocked in a time of 25.46 in the 200-meter and a 7.72 time in the 60-meter.
In the women’s long jump, Taylor Foster finished in fifth place in the event with a jump of 5.29m. Foster also claimed eighth place in the women’s triple jump with 10.63m.
Aubrie Wells and Karsyn Ford both finished with 3.25m to tie for eighth place.
Rounding out the top 10 finishes was Rylee Nicklas taking 10th in the women’s weight throw with a toss of 14.22m.
FLASH MEN NUGGETS
The men’s team registered 12 top 10 finishes on the day.
1-weight throw,
Jayden Foster took eighth place in the men’s 200-meter dash with a time of 22.81. Meanwhile, Tyler Craft claimed the ninth spot with a time of 37.08 in the 300-meter. Craft jumped his way into second place in the long jump with 6.94m.
Staying in the meter dashes, James Parmelee (1:10.38) took third and Holden Schreier finished seventh (1:12.90) in the men’s 500-meter.
Two more Red Flash placed top 10 in the high jump, Ayden Martinage (8th, 1.85m) and Braydon Beach (10th, 1.80m).
Running over to the pole vault, Dylan Andrews finished with a jump of 4.25 to give himself seventh place.
Clark Gulycz took fourth in the men’s shot put with a mark of 17.07m.
Saint Francis took another two top 10 finishes, this time in the men’s triple jump. Nehemyah Williams gained third place with a leap of 14.35m. Ian Conway was not far behind him in seventh with 12.54m.
Vincent Franco finished out the Red Flash in sixth place with a time of 15.94m.
NEXT UP FOR FLASH
Track & field will next compete at the Wagner College Seahawk Shootout hosted by Wagner College on Friday the 12.
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