Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 4, 2013. by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director Lawmakers gave final approval on Monday to legislation, Senate Bill 374, to allow for the establishment of licensed facilities to dispense cannabis to state-qualified patients. The measure passed with two-thirds majorities in both legislative chambers. It now awaits action from[Read More…]

Most recent outbreaks linked to soft cheese, raw produce Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)–June 4, 2013.  Listeria can cause serious infection in certain vulnerable groups, resulting in higher rates of hospitalization and death than most other bacteria commonly spread by contaminated food. A new Vital Signs report by the Centers for Disease Control[Read More…]

Passage Follows New Poll: 82% of New Yorkers Support Medical Marijuana, Including 81% of Both Democrats and Republicans Healthcare Practitioners and Patients Urge New York Senate to Pass Bill Without Delay  New York–(ENEWSPF)–June 3, 2013.  Earlier today, the New York State Assembly passed the Compassionate Care Act (A.6357/Gottfried) by a[Read More…]

NIH researchers seek to expand treatment options Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–June 3, 2013.  A smoking-cessation medication may be a viable option for the treatment of alcohol dependence, according to a study by scientists at the National Institutes of Health. The study found that varenicline (marketed under the name Chantix), approved in 2006[Read More…]

Elk Grove Village, IL–(ENEWSPF)–June 3, 2013.  As adult prescription medication use has increased, so have rates of poisonings in children with these medications, according to a study in the July 2013 Pediatrics. The study, “Adult Prescription Drug Use and Pediatric Medication Exposures and Poisonings,” published online June 3, found poisonings[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 3, 2013.  Today, at the National Conference on Mental Health, the President applauded the dozens of commitments made by organizations representing media, educators, health care providers, faith communities, and foundations to increase understanding and awareness of mental health. The Obama Administration has taken a number of steps to[Read More…]

Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–June 3, 2013.  The National Institutes of Health is looking for volunteers to take part in a study to compare the long-term benefits and risks of four widely used diabetes drugs in combination with metformin, the most common first-line medication for treating type 2 diabetes. Beginning recruitment in June,[Read More…]

Researchers identify compounds that help liver cells grow outside the body. Cambridge, Mass.–(ENEWSPF)–June 3, 2013.  Prometheus, the mythological figure who stole fire from the gods, was punished for this theft by being bound to a rock. Each day, an eagle swept down and fed on his liver, which then grew[Read More…]

SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–June 3, 2013.  The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first West Nile virus positive mosquito batch reported in Illinois for 2013. Des Plaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District employees collected a positive mosquito sample on May 21, 2013 from Hillside in Cook County. “Although we have been[Read More…]

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–June 3, 2013.  The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is investigating two additional reports of adverse events among patients in Illinois who received injections of the steroid methylprednisolone acetate produced by Main Street Family Pharmacy, LLC in Newbern, Tennessee. All seven Illinois cases received injections at the Logan Primary[Read More…]