Health Care Issues

New Jersey Gets First Medical Marijuana Dispensary. New York Still Weighing "Risks"

Today, about 20 medical marijuana patients will meet with staff at the Greenleaf Compassion Center, New Jersey's first medical marijuana facility to open its doors since the state passed a law legalizing prescription pot in 2010.While medical weed is now legal in the Garden State -- as we've chronic ... More >>

New Jersey Gives the "OK" for First Medical Marijuana Dispensary. New York: Still "Studying."

The New Jersey Department of Health yesterday issued the first permit to a medical marijuana dispensary, which grants it permission to start distributing marijuana to state residents who qualify for prescription pot.New York, however -- which Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared the leader of "progres ... More >>

Paul Ryan Uses His Own Mama to Defuse Medicare Drama

In Rep. Paul Ryan's 'The Path to Prosperity' budget, Medicare, the health insurance program that is loved by older Americans and hated by deficit hawks, will cease to exist some time around 2022. The program - a lasting stipulation of Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society - will be transformed into a vo ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: Denver Moves Toward Prescription Pot Ad Ban

Yesterday proved difficult for Denver's prescription pot shops. The City Council voted 13-0 to ban outdoor advertising for medical marijuana, The Associated Press reports. What this means? Though the measure needs one more vote next week, it's likely to pass, so dispensaries would no longer be pe ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: Will Denver Ban Prescription Pot Ads?

Though the citizens of Colorado generally oppose President Barack Obama's pressure on prescription pot ops, the City of Denver will soon weigh whether to ban medical marijuana ads. As detailed by the Denver Post, the City Council will discuss tonight a proposed prohibition on "billboard, bus-bench ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: Montana Cannabis Under Fire From Feds

The Department of Justice's crackdown on California medical marijuana might be the most well known in the country, but it's worth paying attention to legal developments in Montana, where U.S. Attorneys are also doing battle with dispensaries. As detailed by the Helena Independent Record, federal pr ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: New Jersey Registers Prescription Pot Patients

Despite previous delays in the development of its medical marijuana program, New Jersey is now moving to implement it -- and has started signing up patients and caregivers. Here's how it works: Prescription pot participants have to get a rec from one of the 150 docs in the program, according to The ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: Arizona To Hold Prescription Pot Lottery

It's been a busy couple of days in America's weed world. For starters, Arizona will hold a lottery tomorrow to pick medical marijuana dispensaries, according to The Associated Press.

Medical Marijuana: Solana Beach To Weigh Prescription Pot

Even though Los Angeles is being a total buzzkill when it comes to curative bud, some Californians still seem pretty open to the idea of permitting prescription pot. And they happen to live in Solana Beach. On Nov. 6, Solana Beach citizens will vote on whether to permit medical marijuana dispensar ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: Maine Establishes Prescription Pot Guidlines

In Maine, state regulators are trying to come up with new ways to manage medical marijuana. Maine health officials want to make a prescription pot patient-monitoring program optional. Now, users must participate in a state ID program that keeps track of them, according to The Associated Press.

Medical Marijuana: Los Angeles Bans Prescription Pot Shops

After Los Angeles' prescription pot supporters and opponents took to City Hall to do verbal battle about the legal future of medical marijuana dispensaries, the L.A. City Council decided Tuesday night to ban prescription pot shops. The unanimous vote requires that all 762 dispensaries close immedia ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: Ron Paul Pushes Prescription Pot Legislation

As the federal crackdown on California cannabis continues, Rep. Ron Paul is actively backing legislative protections for prescription pot users. Paul is part of the bipartisan effort spearheaded by Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) On Tuesday, Farr introduced the Truth in Trials Act, according to The Hil ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: Oakland Rallies Behind Harborside Health Center

Shortly after the Feds announced their campaign against Harborside Health Center -- the nation's largest and most famous medical marijuana dispensary -- Oakland city officials are rallying behind the prescription pot shop, warning that the cannabis crackdown would have critical economic and social c ... More >>

It's Not New York City's Job To Scare The Shit Out Of Smokers, Appeals Court Rules

It's not the job of the City of New York to force tobacco retailers to display disgusting images in their stores depicting some of the more repulsive health consequences of smoking in an attempt to scare the shit out of smokers, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled today.

Medical Marijuana: Can Weed Help You Get Food Stamps?

In Oregon, some medical marijuana users can deduct the cost of prescription pot from their income to qualify for food stamps, according to The Associated Press. How does this work?

Medical Marijuana: Can Long Beach Keep Lighting Up?

Last week, the Voice brought you news that Long Beach was weighing more restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries. The city's move is in keeping with many California municipalities, which have cracked down on prescription pot because of continued federal flak. Now, however, comes word that ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: No Prescription Pot in New Hampshire

Last week, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch vetoed a medical marijuana measure. He claimed that the proposed law -- which would let minors use prescription pot -- could: "downplay the perceived risk of use of this drug and will lead to increased adolescent use." Supporters of the bill had hoped that ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: California Weed Regulation Put On Hold

It looks like one legislator's attempt to reform California's medical marijuana regulations at the state level has been postponed at least one year. As our sister paper, the San Francisco Weekly, explains, California's dispensaries are "currently overseen by only local law, creating a patchwork o ... More >>

ACT UP Did March for Single-Payer Health Care

In this week's Pride Issue feature "Does 'Gay Inc.' Believe in Free Speech?" we report about how the mainstream gay organizations, even the AIDS groups, were largely absent from Zuccotti Park in 2011 and were not advocating a single-payer option during 2010's raging health care debates. Reader Eust ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: California City Bans Prescription Pot Shops

Some new developments worth noting in the world of weed policy: San Leandro, Calif., has banned medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation facilities for a year, according to multiple media reports. The San Leandro decision stems from disagreement between city council members, largely because o ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Doesn't Prompt Kids To Smoke Pot, Study Finds

More kids are using pot, but that doesn't have anything to do with medical marijuana legalization, according to a just released study. Researchers from the University of Colorado Denver looked at data from 1993 to 2009 and found that there's no evidence linking prescription pot to increased hard or ... More >>

Reefer Roundup: Feds Arrest Six, Target Medical Marijuana Clinics' Bank Accounts

The Voice reported yesterday that the U.S. Department of Justice, backed by Barack Obama's administration, has started to crackdown on landlords who lease space to medical marijuana dispensaries -- and is threatening them with eviction. Now, news reports out of California indicate that federal auth ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Bill Passes Assembly -- But Don't Get Your Hopes Up, New York

A bill that would legalize medical marijuana in New York passed in the Assembly yesterday, but don't go making up any ailments that qualify you for a weed prescription just yet; Governor Buzz Kill ain't gonna sign it -- even if it does find its way to his desk.The bill would legalize prescription we ... More >>

Cuomo's Plan To Decriminalize "Public View" Marijuana Doesn't Make Him A Hero -- It Makes Him Bipolar

Yesterday, law enforcement officials and state lawmakers got in line to pucker up to the rump of Governor Andrew Cuomo because of his plan to decriminalize "public view" marijuana possession. Cuomo's move is being heralded as a civil rights victory for young Hispanic and African-American New Yorkers ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Ban Doesn't Hurt Disabled, Court Says

More weed news from the West Coast: A federal court in California just ruled 2-1 that cities can ban medical marijuana dispensaries -- and that doing so doesn't violate the Americans With Disabilities Act. As detailed by the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco's Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appea ... More >>

Pot Politics: Here's How Medical Marijuana Can Influence Elections

As the medical marijuana debate continues in New York, there's a bit of news from the West Coast that might interest vote-seeking Empire State pols: Looks like prescription pot can make or break a candidate.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries In Rhode Island Could Be Open By Fall. New York Still Weighing The "Risks"

The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a revised bill yesterday that paves the way for the opening of three medical marijuana dispensaries that likely will be open by fall. Governor Andrew Cuomo's "progressive" New York, however, is still assessing the "risks" of legalizing prescription po ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Bill Headed For Another Assembly Vote (Calm Down, Stoners -- You're Not Getting Prescription Pot)

A bill that would legalize medical marijuana in New York has cleared the Health Committee and is headed to the Codes Committee where it will likely be approved and sent to the full Assembly for a vote.Don't get too excited, though, stoners -- even if the bill does pass in the Assembly (which it like ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Growing In New Jersey. Cuomo's "Progressive" New York: Not So Much

Things just got a little greener in the Garden State.The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services issued a permit to Montclair-based Greenleaf Compassion Center yesterday to begin growing medical marijuana. It's the first "compassion club" in New Jersey to receive a permit since the state ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: Is Andrew Cuomo A Weed-Bully Or Is "Cuomo 2016" On His Mind?

As we reported yesterday, a bill will soon be introduced into the state Legislature that would legalize medical marijuana in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo, however, says he won't sign the bill -- despite overwhelming public support for prescription pot. It seems as though maybe -- just maybe -- th ... More >>

Andrew Cuomo's Saying Nope To Medical Dope Actually Is "Encouraging" To Prescription Pot Advocates

An upcoming bill in the New York Legislature that would legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes is getting no love from New York's gov -- Andrew Cuomo said yesterday that he still thinks the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to medical marijuana and that he wouldn't support the bill...this year ... More >>

Forced Exercise Helps Teens Quit Smoking, Study Says

Taylor Momsen, teen smoker.​There is a new quitting-smoking study coming out in October, and this one focuses on teenagers at the beginning of their illustrious smoking careers. The study shows that a smoking cessation program in combination with exercise is the most successful way to get teenager ... More >>

Smoking On Outdoor Train Platforms Now Banned

​Governor Cuomo signed a bill today that will ban smoking on outdoor train platforms operated by the MTA, including the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North. He said, "It is important that commuters are not unwillingly subject to the dangers of second-hand smoke while waiting on train platforms." ... More >>

Those Joyful Days of Smoking in Your Own Apartment Are Numbered

​Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. And being able to smoke in your own apartment may soon be a thing of the past, if the New York Post's latest "entertainment" piece, featuring the battle between a non-smoker and her "chain-smoking next-door neighbor from hell" is any indic ... More >>

Marijuana Has No Accepted Medical Use, DEA Decrees

​The feds have spoken: marijuana has no legitimate medical use and will continue to be classified as a hard drug. This decision comes nine years after medical pot advocates asked the federal government to reclassify marijuana to reflect growing evidence that it has beneficial medical properties. D ... More >>

New York City Smoking Ban Starts Today

​Beginning today, Monday, May 23, 2011, smoking is not allowed in outdoor public spaces around New York City, including beaches, parks and plazas. (That means Central Park, Yankee Stadium, the Coney Island boardwalk and so on -- or everywhere it's fun to smoke.) Health officials have pointed t ... More >>

Smoking Ban Coming to NYC Apartments?

​The New York City smoking ban is spreading steadily, like the scent from your inconsiderate roommate who sucks on those disgusting cancer sticks even though you told her twelve times it screws with your asthma. Smoking in bars and restaurants, at least the ones that let in your unfashionable ... More >>

Smokers May Work a Year Less Than Nonsmokers, If You Assume Nonsmokers Are Actually Working

​For years, studies have said that smokers are less productive, take more time off work, and take more sick days than nonsmokers. Now a new report from OnePoll.com says that cumulated cigarette breaks over a smoker's lifetime mean that smokers get away with working a whole year less than their ... More >>

Mayor Bloomberg's No Smoking Ban Will Make a Naggy Narc Out of You Yet

Tell this woman not to smoke. We dare you.​Breaking: People who are smoking do not like to be told not to smoke. Particularly out in the middle of an open-aired park, surrounded by empty chairs, after they've been cast from bars and restaurants and their own homes. Particularly when that one c ... More >>

The Department of Health's Crackdown on Smoking in Nightclubs Like Lit and M2 Imperils Jobs, Hurts Those It Purports to Help

​City tribunals did real damage to Chelsea's not-so-admirable M2 Ultra Lounge last month when the Department of Health moved to have the place shut down for violating Bloomberg's stringent anti-smoking restrictions. (Though at the moment, M2 remains very much open.) A bunch of others--includin ... More >>

Paterson proposes cut in anti-smoking funds

​Among the emergency measures Governor Paterson is proposing to close New York's budget hole is an additional $10 million cut in the state's anti-smoking program, bringing funding down to $58 million from $85 million a year ago. According to Russ Sciandra of the Center for a Tobacco Free New Y ... More >>

BPA Found in Cans; Sushi Chain Sells to Potheads

​Kraft says it's still interested in purchasing British confectioner Cadbury, but stresses that it would "maintain a disciplined approach." The conglomerate has been beating sales estimates, but acquiring Cadbury would help it grow even more. [NY Times] Bad news for those who replaced plastic ... More >>

Obama DOJ Goes Easy on Medical Marijuana

The Department of Justice will not go after medical marijuana users and suppliers who are following state laws which allow them to operate, according to new DOJ guidelines examined by the Washington Post. This would seem to reverse the policy of the previous Administration, which continued to send D ... More >>

Flavored Tobacco Ban, Stronger Than FDA's, Gets Council Vote Today

The city council is going to vote today on a bill that will ban all kinds of flavored tobacco products in the city -- with a big exception made for the biggest category of flavored tobacco, menthol and wintergreen cigarettes. It's the latest in a round of bad news for smokers, who are already bann ... More >>

Inside the Heads of Obama's Health Care Town-Hall Rowdies

Smokers Fight, Kill for Rights in Turkey

​Apparently smokers are way more protective of their rights in Turkey than they are here in New York. A fight broke out when a restaurant owner in Southwest Turkey ordered a group of customers to extinguish their cigarettes following a national indoor smoking ban, leaving the owner dead and h ... More >>

Don't Tell Bloomberg

But New Yorkers can smoke to their lungs' content at the U.N.'s Vienna Cafe

Merci for Smoking

An unfiltered novel about being persecuted for puffing

Doctors With Borders

Bioethics matures into a formal academic field—and faces an identity crisis

Light 'Em Up

Advocates for medical pot look beyond a Supreme Court bummer