| Cannabis
BBC examines losers, winners in legalized Canadian cannabis. The BBC reports, “Canada has become the second nation to fully legalise recreational cannabis. The end of prohibition means Canadian adults will be able to purchase and consume the drug from federally licensed producers.
“Here’s a look at some of the consequences of this sweeping transition in Canada – and the potential winners and losers.”
Major alcohol producers can’t ignore pot. Business Day reports, “The world’s major alcohol producers can no longer ignore the pot phenomenon, as young consumers may increasingly swap beer and cocktails for joints and cannabis-infused drinks.”
Pennsylvania grower fee pricey WVPB reports, “During the first two rounds of [Pennsylvania’s] medical marijuana application process, which took place in 2017 and 2018, the application fee for growers was a nonrefundable $10,000 and, if accepted, the permit cost $200,000, but that fee had to be submitted up front with the application. Rejected applicants were refunded the initial permit fee.”
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Maine, Vermont researchers taking a closer look at opioid prescription trends. VT Digger reports, “Researchers in Vermont and Maine are taking a closer look at opioid-prescription trends and the state rules that are helping drive those numbers. The study – funded by a federal grant to the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network – will address key questions like whether prescription regulations are leading to fewer overdoses.”
New Hampshire community mental health center employees trained to administer overdose reversal drugs. The Ledger reports, “Employees at one of New Hampshire’s community mental health centers are getting trained to administer overdose reversal drugs.”
Election
Alabama, Oregon, West Virginia have abortion ballot initiatives. Roll Call reports, “Oregon, Alabama and West Virginia voters will face separate ballot initiatives next month aimed at restricting abortion access in those states.”
Amendment 2 would give legislators more control of Supreme Court budget. WTOV reports, “Voters in West Virginia have the opportunity to cast a ballot for two changes to the state’s constitution.
“One of the ballot questions, Amendment 2, is asking voters to give legislators more control over the budget of the West Virginia … Supreme Court.”
Bredesen, Manchin at center of fight for Dems to win Senate. Canada Live News reports, “Candidates Joe Manchin and Phil Bredesen are at the center of the fight to win back the Senate – and a world away from the slate of diverse candidates running across America for the House”
Grady, Prim, Tarr detail qualifications for Fourth Senatorial District. Jackson Newspapers reports, “Three candidates are running for a seat in the West Virginia Senate District 4 race.
“The candidates will serve alongside Senator Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson.
“The candidates are (listed as they appear on the ballot) Eric J. Tarr, Republican; Brian Prim, Democrat; and Amy Nichole Grady, Independent.”
Miller, Ojeda race one of country’s most watched. MetroNews reports, “Outside of the U.S. Senate contest, it is hard to find a race in West Virginia that has garnered as much attention as that of the 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“While seeming like an easy Republican victory on paper (President Donald Trump won the district by a 49-point margin in 2016), the contest between state Sen. Richard Ojeda, D-Logan, and Delegate Carol Miller, R-Cabell, is one of the most watched in the country.”
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Davis federal suit depends on Supreme Court action. The Gazette-Mail reports, “Whether a federal lawsuit filed by former West Virginia Supreme Court justice Robin Davis will continue depends on whether the state Supreme Court expands an existing ruling to halt impeachment proceedings against Davis in the state Senate.”
…Senate not sure how it will respond. WV News reports, “The state Senate has still not decided how it will respond to an order from the Supreme Court blocking the impeachment trial of Justice Margaret Workman from going forward.”
Trump, Dems agree health care is important to voters. Business Insider reports, “President Donald Trump agrees with Democrats on a key political reality: the importance of healthcare to the American voter.”
…Health care is broken in iconic Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Politico reports, “Here in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, anchored by this aging, iconic suburb situated between Philadelphia and Trenton, New Jersey, along the Delaware River not far from where George Washington famously crossed, the margins of electoral victories traditionally are as slim as the spectrum of political opinion is vast. Heading, though, into this year’s midterms, there is one thing that everybody seems to agree on… The people and particularly the senior citizens and retirees who live in the state’s newly drawn 1st Congressional District are all but in lockstep when it comes to the health care system. It’s broken, they think, and it needs to be more available, affordable and reliable. On this topic at least, toxic partisan strife turns into across-the-aisle ire.”
Health
62 children confirmed to have AFM. NPR reports, “A rare condition causing weakness in the arms or legs — and sometimes paralysis — has been confirmed in 62 children so far this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said….
“One child has died of the condition, called acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM.”
…Maryland, Minnesota confirm cases. USA Today reports, “Brittany Fowler of the Maryland Department of Health told USA TODAY that there have been five possible cases of AFM in the state, all in children under 18. The Minnesota Department of Health announced six cases were reported in children under 10. The CDC has confirmed 62 cases in 22 states “ |
