today’s edition: A series of new variants could trigger a winter surge. PhRMA continues to support Democrats after threatening to “hold them accountable” for voting to allow the government to negotiate drug prices. But first…
Recreational marijuana use could soon be legal in almost half of states
November voters will determine whether recreational marijuana is legal in five states: Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Four of the five states are home to many traditional conservatives.
As it stands, 19 states, 2 territories and DC have accepted marijuana legalization in the last decade, and medical cannabis is legal in 37 states, 3 territories and districts. State Legislative National Conference.
Still, that was it 10 years ago When recreational marijuana was illegal nationwide, and since then, efforts by cannabis advocates have not been without setbacks. Most recently, voters rejected ballot measures to legalize adult marijuana use in North Dakota in 2018 and Arizona in 2016, but Arizona changed its mind the next election year and won the initiative. voted in favor of.
“If you look at past voting campaigns, you’ll see that this is an issue that transcends traditional party lines,” he said. Paul ArmentanoDeputy Director National Organization for Marijuana Law Reform“We expect similar results this November.”
Most states that have legalized recreational marijuana have done so through citizen-led ballot measures, and progressive activists are also aiming to legalize abortion in red states.
“The expanded use of ballot measures in recent years is a direct response to the increasing polarization of our political system,” he said. Kelly Hall,executive director equity project, the group that funds and organizes state ballot measure efforts nationwide. This “will either lead to a legislative stalemate at the federal level, or state legislative bodies will not be wholly aligned with what voters want.”
The disconnect between politicians and voters is especially pronounced with cannabis legalizationTwo-thirds of Americans say they want recreational marijuana use legalized in their state under federal law. CBS news poll.
At the federal level, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I illegal drug, a category that also includes heroin and ecstasy. Recent actions by the Biden administration to pardon thousands of people who have been subjected to marijuana use mark a major shift in the country’s views on marijuana use, it said.
“What happened in Washington these days reflects what people want to see across this country,” he said. Eddie Armstrongformer state legislator leading the state Responsible Growth Arkansas Organizations seeking legalization.
More about President Biden’s recent actions:
Even if cannabis supporters swept the board of directors in the next midterm elections like they did two years ago, the battle for legalization isn’t necessarily over once a majority of voters show their support at the ballot box.
South Dakota’s ballot measure, if passed, would legalize the possession, use and distribution of up to 1 ounce of cannabis by anyone over the age of 21. If that sounds familiar, it’s because states have gone this route before.
In 2020, South Dakota residents became the first people in the nation to approve and pass both medical and recreational legalizations in parallel. 54 percentHowever, the adult-use referendum was overruled by the state Supreme Court, which ruled that the amendment violated the single-subject rule of the state constitution.
To avoid similar consequences, marijuana advocates got a shortened and simplified version of the fix in this year’s ballot.
“In our opinion, there is no way to overrule this with a single subject lawsuit,” he said. Matthew Schweigcampaign manager South Dakota calls for better marijuana laws.
Citing internal polls, Schweich said he was confident the state’s residents would approve the ballot question next month.
South Dakota ad calling for improvements to marijuana laws in favor of legalization:
But the advocacy group’s findings contradict two public surveys conducted one month apart statewide. south dakota news watch When South Dakota State Universityboth of which indicated that measures could fail in November. publicly questioned Accuracy of polls by SDNW.
There is organized opposition by groups protect the children of south dakotaits chairman and Jim Kinyon Legalizing marijuana for adults will inevitably lead to increased access to marijuana for young people. He is also concerned about the effects of drugs on mental and physical health.
“It’s much easier to make strong children than to fix a broken man or woman,” Quinon said. And this is not the will of the people of South Dakota.”
Advertisement to protect South Dakota children against adult cannabis:
New AM: our colleagues caroline kitchener Go deep into the secret abortion network that rises after the Supreme Court is overthrown Law vs Wade.
Illegal abortion today is “easier and safer” than it used to be.egg An era famous for back alleys and hangars. Instead, the emerging network is fueled by the availability of medical abortion, writes Caroline.
Through word of mouth and social media, a growing number of community-based vendors are offering pills to pregnant women.
“Those interviewed described a pipeline that typically begins in Mexico, where activist suppliers, funded primarily by private donors, are offered free of charge as in-kind donations or internationally. Secure a pill from a well-known pharmacy for as little as $1.50 Afterwards, volunteers in the U.S. receive their pills in the mail, often relying on legal experts to minimize risk. before distributing it to pregnant women in need,” Caroline wrote.
Subspecies swarms could spur winter surge
Experts are nervously tracking many coronavirus variants as they try to predict whether the country will have a difficult fall or winter. Carolyn Y. Johnson report.
This is a new phase of the pandemic, and instead of new Greek letter variants, many immune-evading spin-offs are popping up around the world. BA.4.6, BF.7, BQ.1.1 When XBB.
Targeted drugs used to treat or protect immunocompromised Americans may not work well against some new subspecies. We are concerned that the emergence of new variants may circumvent existing therapies that protect immunocompromised individuals from severe disease. Politico’s Adam Canklin When Erin Banco write. Vaccines and the oral antiviral drug paxlovid, on the other hand, appear to be effective against these subspecies.
These variants are known as BQ1, and BQ.1.1 roughly describes 11 percent The number of cases nationwide poses a challenge to the Biden administration’s pandemic strategy. on the other hand, Food and Drug Administration Earlier this month, we warned that Evusheld is unlikely to defend. BA.4.6.representing the strain 12 percent The number of cases nationwide, Carolyn points out.
From reporter’s note
CDC official describes intense pressure under Trump
My colleague Dan Diamond sends the following dispatches to The Health 202.
Trump’s appointee Centers for Disease Control and Prevention limit entry at the border Change the agency’s scientific reporting and muzzle its officials during the pandemic, according to a report issued Monday by a House panel investigating the response to the pandemic.
Agency leaders — down to political appointees like former directors Robert Redfield and former chief of staff Kyle McGowanlike a senior career officer Anne Shuchat When Martin Setron — Along with House investigators, how the Trump White House and its allies blocked CDC recommendations such as the Summer 2020 plan to mandate masks on public transit, or asked agency leaders to I explained what made the job intimidating. (Read Dan’s full story here.)
Officials also told the panel about their struggle with Trump allies such as Michael CaputoHHS top spokesperson, and his agent Paul Alexander The two men distributed e-mails attacking CDC leaders like Shuchat and attempted to change the agency’s weekly morbidity and mortality reports to be more consistent with the former president. donald trumpmore optimistic remarks about the pandemic.
Many of the panel’s findings were already known due to previous reports and media coverage.But the report shows the need to “protect the integrity of science and restore the trust of the American public in public health institutions,” said Whip, a House majority. James E. Cliburn Chairman of the Committee (DS.C.) said in a statement:
But also consider: The CDC continues to grapple with long-standing challenges that have little or nothing to do with Trump’s appointees. For example, the agency’s persistent data collection issues and its often confusing recommendations for Americans trying to navigate the pandemic.
PhRMA gives cash to Democrats despite threats to ‘hold them accountable’
Powerful drug lobby groups donated money to Democrats in the weeks after the party passed a bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate the price of some drugs. Sarah Owermole report.
for example: of American Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturer establish a political action committee $2,000 towards New Democratic Coalition Action Fund In late August Sarah wrote:
Most of the trade group’s spending went to the Republican PAC that month, and the group has a history of supporting incumbents.Still, dollar to Democratic PAC worth noting, says PhRMA CEO Stephen Uble made to Politico If Democrats vote on the drug pricing bill, the lobby said it would hold Democrats “accountable.”
Brian Newell A PhRMA spokesperson said in a statement to Stat that the group works with lawmakers from both parties. “While we may not agree on every issue, we will work with our legislators to take every opportunity possible to ensure that patients get the medicines they need and that the industry continues to develop life-saving treatments. I will explore.”
- A North Carolina abortion provider yesterday asked the state trial court: temporarily block execution A law prohibiting medical professionals other than licensed physicians from prescribing pills for medical abortion.
- Georgia Republican Senate Candidate Herschel Walker I admitted yesterday that he sent $700 check to his ex-girlfriend in 2009but continued to deny the woman’s allegations that the money was offered to pay for the abortion, our colleague John Wagner I am writing.
- The first lawsuit in Japan over the government’s ban on raising children following gender reassignment kicked off yesterday in arkansasthe latest in a battle over the surge in young people who identify as transgender that swept the Republican-led Congress this year. Associated Press report.
After Dobbs, US medical students head abroad for abortion training no longer offered in schools (By Olivia Goldhill l Stat)
Almost a year after the shortage began, families are still struggling to find formula (Jesse Newman and Christina Peterson | Wall Street Journal)
Indiana Lawsuit in U.S. Supreme Court Could Help Red State Retract Planned Parenthood (Tony Cook and Johnny Magdaleno | Indianapolis Star)
thank you for reading! see you tomorrow.