Patients with THC in their system were less likely to die from traumatic brain injuries than those without it. Those were the findings of researchers at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, released this week.
And according to the scientists, it’s not a coincidence.
| JackstonStormes.com |
| Jackson Stormes. |
Jackson Stormes is one of the thousands of children in this country suffering from Dravet syndrome, a rare form of severe epilepsy that causes constant seizures and, generally, means a painful, poor quality of life for the children who have it. But for many, hope can be found in a low-THC, high-CBD cannabis extract that all but stops the seizures and allows kids to live a much more normal life. Sadly, Jackson hasn’t been able to access the high-CBD medicine where he lives in New Jersey, because that state’s program is being bogged down by inept program management and state leadership who would rather it all just go away says his mother, Jennie Stormes.
So with few other options, the Stormes family is uprooting and moving to Colorado where they know nobody, have no jobs but know that there is at least some hope for their son.
| Just say no to Sheldon Adelson. |
With a net worth of $37 billion, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, has donated another $1.5 million to the No On 2 campaign (or, Drug Free Florida) — the biggest medical marijuana opposition in the state of Florida. He had helped kick off the campaign when he donated $2.5 million to get things started back in June.
The 80-year-old Adelson, who has been a big-time contributor to conservative campaigns throughout his life, is chairman and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., which runs the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Oh yeah, he has also funded drug addiction clinics in Nevada and Israel and believes pot to be a gateway drug. Broward-Palm Beach New Times has more.
Would the proposed Amendment 2 — Florida’s bid to legalize medical marijuana on this November’s ballot — really let convicted felons sell pot with no penalties? That’s what a new statewide ad urging voters to turn against the proposition claims, with an ominous voice intoning that “Even felons and drug dealers could be caregivers.”
Of course that’s not really true. Could is the operative word, because the amendment gives legislators six months to set rules on how medical pot would actually work. If it’s not already obvious that GOP-controlled Tallahassee isn’t likely to leave such glaring loopholes for caregivers, a group headed by a former Florida House speaker has released a proposed set of guidelines on how to regulate the drug. Riptide has the full story.
| Brandon Coats and his attorney Michael Evans. |
The Colorado Supreme Court yesterday heard oral arguments on why medical marijuana patients should have the right to use their medicine off work.
As we wrote on Monday, the case stems from the firing of Brandon Coats, a paraplegic former DISH Network call-center operator who tested positive for marijuana in a drug test but contends that he was never high on the job. He says he was open about his medical cannabis use to his bosses, and that they simply targeted him for firing knowing a hot test would mean the end of his job.
“Marijuana may be bad for your heart” – so says the headline on the website who broke the story, LiveScience.com.
In less than four hours, NewsMaxHealth.com picked up the feed and copy/pasted the LiveScience.com story, but gave the headline a bit of a twist so that theirs reads “Marijuana Causes Heart Problems”.
Well now, that sure escalated quickly.
| Angela Brown with her son, Trey. |
Last month, we told you about Angela Brown, the Madison, Minnesota resident who was charged with two gross misdemeanors for giving cannabis extracts to her teenage son, Trey, to treat a traumatic brain injury he suffered in 2011.
Brown’s story generated quite a stir, mostly among people who couldn’t begin to understand why the Lac Qui Parle county attorney, Richard Stulz, thought it was a good idea to press charges in this case. But the controversy apparently didn’t deter Stulz, as this morning Brown is due in court in Montevideo, where she plans to enter a “not guilty” plea
With voters set to hit the ballots in less than two months, and the medical marijuana initiative polling strong, United for Care is taking it strong to the hoop by releasing it’s first thirty second ad for the final push.
The new ad, titled “It Worked,” showcases United for Care’s message that Amendment 2 allows Florida doctors to recommend the use of medical pot specifically and strictly to patients with debilitating diseases and medical conditions.
| Colorado Supreme Court chambers. |
The Colorado Supreme Court will hear arguments tomorrow on whether or not employers should be able to fire employees for using cannabis off-work. The case stems from Brandon Coats, a former DISH Network phone operator who was fired from his job in 2010 after he failed a test for marijuana. Coates, who was left in a wheelchair for life after a car accident as a teen, says he only uses the cannabis off work and that his employer fired him inappropriately.
Colorado business officials and the state Attorney General’s office have come out in support of DISH’s decision, but a group of vocal Colorado advocates have jumped in on Coates’ side and are imploring the courts to decide for patients and not for big business interests.
The Pennsylvania Senate yesterday approved a measure that would legalize the medical use of some forms of cannabis, though chances of the bill being approved by the state House in the final days of the session aren’t very high.
Even then, the bill would have to overcome the stone wall that is the governor’s office.