{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/news-and-events/13","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_1922-markdown","title":"Marijuana is Going Main Stream","slug":"marijuana-is-going-main-stream","content":"CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has come out as a staunch supporter of the move towards the legalization of marijuana. Previously against legalization, he has had a change of heart after seeing the positive impact marijuana can have on adults and children suffering from an array of diseases, including cancer, epilepsy, and PTSD.\r\n\r\nDr. Gupta is not the only voice from the medical establishment to come out in defense of marijuana. Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy has pointed to data that shows how beneficial medical cannabis can be.\r\n\r\nAccording to the most recent Pew Research Center polls, 53% of Americans now favor legalization, with 77% supporting it for medicinal use. Contrast that with the only 12% who favored its legalization when Pew Research first posed the question to Americans in 1969.\r\n\r\nWith public opinion shifting and medical support mounting, how much longer do you think it will take for governments to wake up and smell the weed?","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/14b42/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/f836f/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.jpg 200w,\n/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/2244e/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.jpg 400w,\n/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/14b42/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.jpg 800w,\n/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/47498/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.jpg 1200w,\n/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/e10c7/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.jpg 1537w","srcWebp":"/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/58556/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/61e93/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.webp 200w,\n/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/1f5c5/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.webp 400w,\n/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/58556/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.webp 800w,\n/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/99238/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.webp 1200w,\n/static/6bbcaa64df84f678c7b25b872a5f53cd/9ca36/085d9ae72df83d6bfd3118cc2db5888e.webp 1537w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1886-markdown","title":"Have Marijuana Bans Gone Up in Smoke?","slug":"have-marijuana-bans-gone-up-in-smoke","content":"With all of the controversy, legislation laws and media coverage surrounding marijuana, it may be difficult to keep up with its legal status throughout the states.\r\n\r\nWell, here’s the comprehensive “scoop” for you. California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Surprising or not?\r\n\r\nSoon after, 18 other states followed in the green—err, the golden state’s footsteps. In no particular order, these are the other legal medical marijuana states: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Hawaii.\r\n\r\nFor now, there are only four really marijuana-friendly states. By this, we mean that marijuana is legal in both medical and recreational forms in these places. These cannabis-welcoming states are: Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon. The District of Columbia also allows both forms of marijuana. Not so fast—there is one limitation. In each of these areas, there are still maximum measurements set in place to limit how much cannabis someone can possess at any given time.\r\n\r\nThe good news for cannabis users everywhere? (Well, at least most places.) Many states have voted to eliminate criminal penalties for individuals possessing smaller amounts of cannabis, even in regions where marijuana is not legalized in any form.\r\n\r\nRefer to the chart showing which states have legalized marijuana in some form and how much cannabis someone can legally possess in that state.\r\n\r\nDo you suffer from a medical condition that cannabis could help relieve but don’t have easy access to a medical marijuana clinic? We can help.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.6666666666666667,"src":"/static/ff0d947db98142167aa1f558a9f73661/81cd1/3d1dff07ca6d3a514342f886dd20353b.png","srcSet":"/static/ff0d947db98142167aa1f558a9f73661/69585/3d1dff07ca6d3a514342f886dd20353b.png 200w,\n/static/ff0d947db98142167aa1f558a9f73661/497c6/3d1dff07ca6d3a514342f886dd20353b.png 400w,\n/static/ff0d947db98142167aa1f558a9f73661/81cd1/3d1dff07ca6d3a514342f886dd20353b.png 588w","srcWebp":"/static/ff0d947db98142167aa1f558a9f73661/2049f/3d1dff07ca6d3a514342f886dd20353b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ff0d947db98142167aa1f558a9f73661/61e93/3d1dff07ca6d3a514342f886dd20353b.webp 200w,\n/static/ff0d947db98142167aa1f558a9f73661/1f5c5/3d1dff07ca6d3a514342f886dd20353b.webp 400w,\n/static/ff0d947db98142167aa1f558a9f73661/2049f/3d1dff07ca6d3a514342f886dd20353b.webp 588w","sizes":"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1898-markdown","title":"Telehealth - Access to Care When it's Needed","slug":"telehealth-access-to-care-when-its-needed","content":"At the American Telemedicine Association meeting this week in Los Angeles, American Well, a large provider of online medical visits, announced a new app to help physicians take advantage of Telehealth. One way is to see patients live in high-definition video. While not being new by itself, the fact that they are able to get reimbursement from insurers such as UnitedHealthCare, indicates that it is becoming more acceptable as “standard of care”.\r\n\r\nInsurers are realizing that by doing this they are reducing unnecessary costs and waits by having patients do one-on-one interviews at their convenience. The thought is by enabling doctors to engage with patients, it could ease the qualms of states like Texas, Arkansas and Idaho, which have sought to restrict telemedicine providers like American Well, Teladoc and Doctor on Demand, because their primary business involves treating patients they’ve never seen before. What the states are beginning to realize is that Telehealth is INCREASING access to care to patients who before had no physicians, or the specialty of physician, near to them.\r\n\r\nFor medical marijuana recommendations that hold true even more. Access to care for the patients who can benefit from cannabis can be difficult if not impossible. The availability of physicians who can knowledgeably evaluate patients to see if medical marijuana can help them can be sparse. With the ability to evaluate patients using their computer or phone, access can be provided anywhere the patient and physician are.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.0695187165775402,"src":"/static/a2fa37c0a205787bfe1f33236a1a7f32/12243/0ca28fb408e95b7f68052c2c294b0378.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a2fa37c0a205787bfe1f33236a1a7f32/f836f/0ca28fb408e95b7f68052c2c294b0378.jpg 200w,\n/static/a2fa37c0a205787bfe1f33236a1a7f32/12243/0ca28fb408e95b7f68052c2c294b0378.jpg 232w","srcWebp":"/static/a2fa37c0a205787bfe1f33236a1a7f32/e953c/0ca28fb408e95b7f68052c2c294b0378.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a2fa37c0a205787bfe1f33236a1a7f32/61e93/0ca28fb408e95b7f68052c2c294b0378.webp 200w,\n/static/a2fa37c0a205787bfe1f33236a1a7f32/e953c/0ca28fb408e95b7f68052c2c294b0378.webp 232w","sizes":"(max-width: 232px) 100vw, 232px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1851-markdown","title":"Medical Marijuana Sweeps the Country: How Does the Public Feel?","slug":"medical-marijuana-sweeps-the-country-how-does-the-public-feel","content":"Two of the most conservative states in the United States, Texas and Georgia, recently passed medical marijuana legislation allowing very limited use of medical marijuana for a set number of conditions.  Texas has legalized the use medical marijuana in one case and form, cannabis oil that is high in CBD and low in THC for patients with intractable epilepsy. In order for patients to qualify they must have tried at least two traditional epilepsy treatments and found them ineffective.  Then their doctors may approve the use of medical marijuana. The doctors, however, cannot prescribe medical marijuana.  They simply may suggest the use of it under their right of the first amendment for free speech. \r\n\r\nIn Georgia, a short list of conditions was recently deemed as legal uses for medical marijuana.  This legislation was prompted after over 20 families from Georgia moved to Colorado temporarily to provide their children with medical marijuana products to aid in the decrease of seizures associated with epilepsies.  In addition to epilepsies, the law in Georgia allows access for patients with end-stage ALS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and cancer.  \r\n\r\nIn both these states, obtaining medical marijuana is still a difficult process.  Both of these conservative states have sent the message that marijuana is medicine, but they limit the conditions which it should be used for.  Both of these states are recognizing the benefit of medical marijuana, even thought the roll out is slow and there is still some widespread resistance.  The wave of changing ideas in the United States cannot be denied, but there is still widespread worry about the implications of medical marijuana coming into communities all over the country in larger amounts.  Of course, there are added concerns because marijuana is still a federally illegal substance. \r\n\r\nAcross the United States 78% of the population is in favor of medical marijuana.  Despite the continuing lack of medical studies conducted within the United States, testimonies across the United States have provided the US population with encouragement to be in favor of medical marijuana. Only 43% of the US population, however, is in favor of recreational marijuana. An impressive 90% of the US population believes that people should be educated by a knowledgable doctor before purchasing medical marijuana.  In states, however, where medical marijuana is new, access to educated primary doctors can be difficult. Many of the opposition that still exists to medical marijuana regards the unknowns of medical marijuana and how it can effect the youth population. \r\n\r\nA momentous study was released recently showing no increase in teen marijuana smoking in the 21 states which have passed medical marijuana laws.  The study was conducted between 1991 and 2014.  A survey of 1 million students in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grade were asked about their medical marijuana usage each year.  Overall cannabis usage of 8th graders decreased since the pass of the laws.  The reason for this is thought to be that young students view marijuana as medical rather than recreational.  Marijuana use of high school students has remained stagnant between 2011 and 2013 when many of the medical marijuana bills were implemented.  \r\n\r\nViews and opinions of medical marijuana have changed drastically in the past few years, from states passing medical marijuana bills from being the outcasts to the norms.  The most important factor in this change among the american public is the recognition of marijuana as a medicine for a myriad of conditions.  Medical marijuana, though not nationally legal, has become recognized for its medicinal qualities, especially in pain and seizure relief. Medical marijuana has been legitimized and with that there have been positive affects. Patients are able to access the cannabis they need to aid with medical conditions and has changed the way younger patients view marijuana, no longer as a recreational drug but a medical drug. Though more states are allowing access to medical marijuana, access is still limited in some places.  Places like Texas, Georgia, and Illinois still must find proper ways to roll out their program, as well as expand their programs to assist as many patients as possible. Even though it is legal in some states, patients struggle to obtain the products they need.  Each step in the progress of medical marijuana legitimization is positive, but much more can be done in bringing people the medical assistance they need.  \r\n\r\n[photo source](https://www.flickr.com/photos/gigaboss/902459209/in/photolist-2nKkFx-f8YDHj-8z3JFq-8Ct96m-eyLv4e-9wfMAo-61ZSGe-a7A86D-a7A7Yc-at3Mi3-avvBdx-avvBkg-7JcaBQ-d7Wrtu-cfT4S9-a7CZUU-dCnR4x-aiEZS5-aiF11L-atSngn-9sWCe4-9sWFu6-9sWDPZ-9sWCNz-9sZxyG-9sWEWP-9sZDbs-9sZyGN-9sWy4T-9sZEfW-eyPRzC-eyMf7T-eyLPM6-eyQ96U-eyMwfV-eyPJyd-eyPBeq-eyQgt3-eyQbHS-eyPZKQ-eyQrtY-eyLL1D-eyMmzB-eyQjWN-eyPFrE-eyM4Tc-eyLHwa-eyPJib-eyQt4h-eyLJ3e)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.492537313432836,"src":"/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/14b42/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/f836f/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 200w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/2244e/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 400w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/14b42/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 800w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/47498/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 1200w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/ef4cc/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 1354w","srcWebp":"/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/58556/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/61e93/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 200w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/1f5c5/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 400w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/58556/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 800w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/99238/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 1200w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/4a390/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 1354w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1873-markdown","title":"Medical Marijuana Roll Out Flops in Illinois, is the Problem Interest or Access?","slug":"medical-marijuana-roll-out-flops-in-illinois-is-the-problem-interest-or-access","content":"A bill to allow medical marijuana was signed in the state of Illinois in 2013.  Though the program is not yet operational in the state, problems have been piling up for the medical marijuana market in Illinois.  Over 40 conditions qualify under the Illinois state law, including Cancer, Crohn's Disease, and Alzheimer's, and patients who qualify are allowed to buy up to two and a half ounces of cannabis for every 14 days. In the first 9 months of roll out, only 2,500 patients have applied and been accepted for medical marijuana cards.  There was an initial estimate of about 75,000 people expected to be signed up for the program within the first year.  Illinois has a particularly extensive process to get approved for medical marijuana cards including fees, background checks, doctors visits, finger printing, and a paper application.  No online alternatives or applications are available in Illinois for the medical marijuana industry.  One immediate assumption for the lack of customers in the medical marijuana industry in Illinois is the delayed ability of people to be able to receive medical marijuana in state.  \r\n\r\nToday, in 2015, patients who have fought so hard to gain the ability to access medical marijuana for their conditions are still not able to access their medicine. 18 cultivation and 52 dispensary licenses, however, were handed out in February.  The limited number left many people eager to be a part of the new industry out in the dust, but the most pressing issue is the lack of medical marijuana available in the state to date. Illinois residents, who have already been approved for the medical marijuana plan, still are not able to bring medical marijuana in from other states either.  Many of the businesses are worried about being able to open successfully, now that the amount of customers is still so low. The lack of patients may lead to a delay or thinning in the roll out of actual dispensaries in the area. \r\n\r\nIllinois, unlike many other states who offer medical marijuana, requires people to qualify under a specific condition, rather than being allowed to use medical marijuana for ailments such as chronic pain or generalized anxiety.  Both pain and anxiety are two of the oldest uses for medical marijuana.  Medical marijuana has been used across the Middle East and Asia to, “destroy anxiety and bring joy”.  Marijuana was also the earliest general anesthetic used during surgical procedures and was used to relieve general pain.  The Illinois restrictions which do not allow people to be prescribed for general issues cuts off access for some of the people who could greatly benefit from the use of medical marijuana.  In the case of many conditions, medical marijuana provides an alternative to harsh pharmaceuticals.  Many traditional prescription medications such as opioids and medications used to treat mental disorders can have harsh side effects, including particular medications with high levels of dependence and addictive qualities. In states where medical marijuana has been approved, there has be a 25% decrease in overdoses on opioids. There has been talk, however, of expanding the list of qualifying medical conditions. \r\n\r\nSince the medical marijuana industry is new across the country, and particularly in the state of Illinois, there are also trepidations by patients and doctors to prescribe and take medical marijuana.  In Illinois, people must receive a prescription from their regular treatment doctor.  In many other states, people can seek medical marijuana licenses from any doctor.  Many physicians in Illinois are not comfortable with prescribing medical marijuana because they do not know much about it.  Some patients, also, do not feel comfortable requesting it from their doctors due to stigma or judgement.  Due to some doctors inclinations against medical marijuana in Illinois, patients do not always feel as if they have a safe space to express their ideas of trying medical marijuana to help with their ailments.  The stigma against medical marijuana is decreasing, but many people want a safe space to feel like they can express their desires to try it. \r\n\r\nSome people, whether restricted by resources, stigma, or mobility, may not have the ability to schedule doctors office visits.  Programs running in other states, like HelloMD in California, allow patients to speak to doctors online from the comfort of their own home.  These doctors are also more well versed in the uses and products in the medical marijuana industry, so they are great resources for patients who are new to using medical marijuana.  HelloMD, and programs like it, give all patients the tools they need to be able to fully access the benefits of medical marijuana.  \r\n\r\nOne of the largest issues that patients face in the medical marijuana roll out is access to the products they need. States, in large numbers, are recognizing marijuana’s medical purpose in helping treat a wide range of conditions. In Illinois, patients fought hard to gain the access to medical marijuana, but still are not able to get it the products they need. It is important that as states move foreword with medical marijuana, they recognize all of the steps that are needed to implement a successful medical cannabis program within their borders.  Producers must be established in the state and distribution plans should be put in to place so when patients are granted access to medical marijuana, they are actually able to use it. The restriction on qualifying conditions also leaves many people who could benefit from medical marijuana from accessing it.  The quick expansion of medical marijuana across the United States has begun to open the door for access, but much can be done to provide people with the medical products they really need.\r\n\r\n[photo source](https://www.flickr.com/photos/francisco_osorio/8228710532/in/photolist-dx9hXw-cc59Sw-6y5h3e-cJxAEY-9zPHvt-9866ZQ-cJorC1-8VENMy-d2Tn1f-2KwNTS-h1P3a4-9biVkj-hjj2fD-7bEsuE-e3vXtG-4rhCSh-d9LUFW-xXdZu-7x6Sq6-5SVGHV-xXebu-e6ozvb-79J7Eb-aBnCE3-e2UGzB-pcuLz-d2TmHm-cJorDA-79EgEe-aioWPk-mBvTwd-9eC7PJ-mBuKpn-5q6Suw-q6bu3C-7xaEZb-7x6SsM-8uKeGF-9tZy8P-aiqKtD-hj6tRi-kpRPx1-dMheMz-oFEZpJ-dMnNxS-qggAwL-AKC4i-bA3eBS-dzXg6p-dA3JXs)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAGAAAAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQFAQL/xAAWAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQP/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAVHZ3cVswWX/xAAbEAEAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAEDMhESFP/aAAgBAQABBQIbUMqOLTtzPQhA6Y//xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhBB/9oACAEDAQE/ASuz/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD/2gAIAQIBAT8BJ//EABwQAAEDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAiEQERJRYf/aAAgBAQAGPwKHQdJS1ExEds//xAAaEAEAAwEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABABEhMUFR/9oACAEBAAE/IW0uNXsTI0fMpjXpDVMrh4R1+H2cgUtn/9oADAMBAAIAAwAAABCr/wD/xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABADH/2gAIAQMBAT8QYJl//8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEhQf/aAAgBAgEBPxCWLf/EABoQAQADAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAESFBUTH/2gAIAQEAAT8QGz5oMdewpN2qAeb6wKM4vsbEtShzNgRACqF2EoGsgPZ//9k=","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/14b42/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/f836f/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg 200w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/2244e/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg 400w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/14b42/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg 800w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/16310/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/58556/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/61e93/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp 200w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/1f5c5/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp 400w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/58556/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp 800w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/cc834/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":144,"numPages":13,"currentPage":13,"id":5567,"name":"News & Events","slug":"news-and-events","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}