Letters: The Senate fillibuster is a moderating force for better and/or worse

Published

5 months ago

October 16, 2024

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The fillibuster moderates the Senate but is that good or bad?

Re: “Is it time for America to eliminate the filibuster? Not so fast,” Oct. 5 commentary

L. Roger Hutson suggests that the filibuster is a tool to “force” bipartisan governance. It does no such thing. What bipartisan governance?

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Poland And Cannabis – The Fresh Toast

Published

3 weeks ago

March 11, 2025

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A traditionally conservative country, what is Poland’s take on marijuana?

Poland has been a conservative country. The Catholic Church has been deeply ingrained in Polish culture and identity for centuries. But there is a change stirring, about 70% of population identified as Catholic in the 2021 census, down from 87% a decade earlier. The Church played a significant role in the transition from communism and dictatorship to democracy. It has been in the news recently, so where is Poland and cannabis? While the country has some of Europe’s most restrictive drug laws, recent developments in medical marijuana policy have created a unique situation.

Cannabis for recreational use remains illegal in Poland. Possession, consumption, and trafficking of cannabis with more than 0.2% THC content is a criminal offense. However, since 2011, prosecutors have had the option to drop charges for possession of small quantities intended for personal use, especially for first-time offenders.

In July 2018, Poland legalized medical cannabis, with the law taking effect in November of that year. This change allowed physicians to prescribe cannabis under the same conditions as other controlled substances

Poland And Cannabis

The Polish cannabis market has shown significant growth potential. It quadrupled from in 2021 and is expected to more than double by 2026. As of 2021, over 2.3 million people in Poland consumed cannabis, both legally and illegally, with illicit users accounting for more than 60% of all consumers.

However, the medical cannabis system faces several challenges:

Reliance on imports: Polish law prohibits domestic production of medical cannabis, making the country entirely dependent on imports.
Insurance coverage: Medical cannabis treatment is not covered by health insurance, leading to high costs for patients.
Supply issues: Lingering registration and supply audit procedures can cause shortages.
Limited availability: Medical cannabis is usually only available in pharmacies by special order.

Despite the restrictive laws, there has been a notable increase in cannabis prescriptions. The number of prescriptions issued for medical marijuana in Poland increased sixfold recently, along with a rise in prescriptions for opioid medications.

There is growing support for cannabis reform in Poland. A working group in the Polish parliament, the Sejm, has drafted legislation proposing changes similar to those in Germany. However, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has not shown support for these reforms, making significant changes unlikely before the 2024 parliamentary election. During WWII, they developed a a reputation for being strong willed and good fighters, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

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Federal Funding Freeze To Hit Medical Marijuana Research

Published

2 months ago

February 11, 2025

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Research on Cancer, chronic pain, nausea and more are grinding to a halt due to the federal funding freeze.

New research is validating cannabis can help cancer, chronic pain or more. It is a key alternative to avoid opioid use for post surgery pain. But now the deal funding freeze to hit medical marijuana research has significant implications for various sectors of scientific research, including medical marijuana studies. While the freeze has been temporarily halted, the uncertainty it created has already affected ongoing projects and future research prospects.

Medical marijuana research has long faced challenges due to federal restrictions. Despite growing interest in its therapeutic potential, the classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act limits research opportunities. Historically, most federal funding for cannabis research has focused on its potential harms rather than its medical benefits. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) are key players in controlling access to research-grade cannabis, which further complicates the process for researchers.

Federal Funding Freeze To Hit Medical Marijuana Research

Effects of the Funding Freeze

Uncertainty and Delayed Projects: The funding freeze, even if temporary, has introduced uncertainty into the research environment. Scientists rely on stable funding to plan and execute long-term studies. Any disruption can delay projects, impacting years of research efforts.
Impact on Academic Freedom: The freeze is seen as a threat to academic freedom, as researchers fear speaking out against government actions might jeopardize their funding4. This fear can particularly affect medical marijuana research, which is already controversial and underfunded.
Limited Access to Research Materials: The NIDA monopoly on research-grade cannabis has historically limited access to materials necessary for comprehensive studies6. A funding freeze exacerbates this issue by potentially reducing the already limited resources available for acquiring and studying cannabis.
State-Level Initiatives: While federal funding is crucial, some states have taken the initiative to fund medical marijuana research. However, these efforts are often insufficient to compensate for the lack of federal support

The ongoing challenges in medical marijuana research highlight the need for consistent and supportive federal policies. As more states legalize cannabis for medical use, there is a growing demand for rigorous scientific studies to validate its efficacy and safety. However, until federal restrictions are eased and funding becomes more accessible, progress in this area will remain slow.

The federal funding freeze compounds the existing barriers to medical marijuana research, further hindering efforts to explore its therapeutic potential. Addressing these challenges requires a shift in federal policy to support comprehensive and unbiased research into cannabis’s medical benefits.

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Diana DeGette

Editorial: Here’s how savvy Colorado voters navigated the monstrous 2024 ballot

Published

5 months ago

November 8, 2024

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Colorado’s election results tell us that more of our neighbors are feeling bad about Tuesday night’s presidential outcome than are feeling good, but what about the down-ballot races?

Colorado voters navigated a complex ballot full of policy questions and did a remarkable job of parsing through the pros and cons of each measure.

As Donald Trump regains the White House with a Republican majority in the House and Senate, we are thrilled voters in Colorado have added constitutional protections to abortion. A remarkable 61% of voters wanted reproductive freedoms in the state Constitution and repealed an outdated law preventing Medicaid from covering abortions.

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