Unsealed documents detail how authorities justified the raid of a Kansas newspaper
Newly unsealed court records provide insight into how law enforcement justified a highly unusual raid of the office of a Marion, Kansas, newspaper -- a decision that has drawn widespread condemnation from news organizations and press freedom advocates.
2023-09-01 01:16
Marijuana users have higher levels of toxic metals in blood and urine, study finds
People who use marijuana were found to have higher levels of lead and cadmium in their blood and urine, in comparison to those who do not use weed, according to a new study. The team of researchers at Columbia University analysed data from blood and urine samples collected between 2005 and 2018 as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a program conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. They looked at samples of 7,254 people who said they had used marijuana in the last 30 days. Participants were examined for levels of heavy metals and 358 people were found to have 27 per cent higher blood lead levels than those who said they didn’t use either marijuana or tobacco. There were also 22 per cent higher levels of cadmium in those marijuana users according to the research, which was published Wednesday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Researchers also found that the urine samples showed similar results. High levels of cadmium can cause stomach irritation, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, according to Better Health. Researchers found that although tobacco is the main source of cadmium exposure in the general population, the study showed similar exposure levels among cannabis users. “For both cadmium and lead, these metals are likely to stay in the body for years, long after exposure ends,” Tiffany Sanchez, an author of the study and an assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health said to NBC News. As cannabis plants can absorb heavy metals from soil - the new findings demonstrate that heavy metals in cannabis plants can also wind up in the human body. “Previous studies have measured metals in marijuana plants, products, or marijuana smoke,” study authors have said. Lead exposure can be particularly harmful to children and pregnant women. In adults, chronic exposure to lead increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart problems and kidney damage. “Our study wasn’t able to tease apart whether or not self-reported cannabis users were using medical or recreational cannabis, so we can’t say definitively if medical cannabis users specifically had higher metal levels,” Sanchez said as reported by CNN. “This is something that should be evaluated in future studies.” Heavy metals bind to parts of your cells that prevent your organs from doing their job, according to the Cleveland Clinic and symptoms of heavy metal poisoning can be life-threatening and can cause irreversible damage. “Immunocompromised people, such as those going through chemotherapy, may be at greater risk from metal exposure or from other common cannabis contaminants like molds. However, this is very much an understudied area,” Sanchez added. On Wednesday, the Department of Health and Human Services recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration ease restrictions on marijuana by moving it from Schedule I drug to Schedule III. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the agency has responded to President Joe Biden’s request “to provide a scheduling recommendation for marijuana to the DEA.” “We’ve worked to ensure that a scientific evaluation be completed and shared expeditiously,” he added. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that HHS had recommended that marijuana be moved from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance. “HHS has done the right thing,” Schumer said. “DEA should now follow through on this important step to greatly reduce the harm caused by draconian marijuana laws.” Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. According to the DEA, Schedule I drugs "have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse." Additional reporting from agencies Read More Biden health agency recommends classifying marijuana as lower-risk, opening potential for major policy changes Seth Rogen reveals why he smokes marijuana ‘all day, every single day’ Rugby star Ugo Monye: Boarding school shaped my career and my personality Queen Latifah calls for more ‘inclusive healthcare’ for people with obesity As Simon Cowell shares positive therapy experience, how can it help even if you aren’t in crisis?
2023-09-01 00:55
Iceland says commercial whaling can resume after temporary ban
Iceland's government says commercial hunting of fin whales can resume in the country with stricter requirements on hunting methods and increased supervision
2023-09-01 00:50
Experience the Great Outdoors in Hong Kong This Season with the Ultimate Thrill Seeker’s Itinerary
HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 31, 2023--
2023-08-31 23:58
France says Nestle, Unilever, Pepsico among firms not toeing the line on prices
By Leigh Thomas and Richa Naidu PARIS (Reuters) -France's finance minister said he had struck a deal with food retailers
2023-08-31 23:55
The Fresh Market Teams Up with Guests in the Movement to End Hunger in the U.S.
GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 31, 2023--
2023-08-31 23:46
Anne Hathaway 'thrilled' to work with Shiseido
Anne Hathaway has revealed that she's looking forward to working with Shiseido.
2023-08-31 22:25
Storm Reid loves her baby blue swimsuits
Storm Reid has brought a personal touch to her ArashiBlu swimsuit collection.
2023-08-31 22:16
Queen Latifah calls for more ‘inclusive healthcare’ for people with obesity
Queen Latifah is calling for more inclusive medical care for people with obesity. In a new interview as part of her work with It’s Bigger Than Me, a US-based campaign by healthcare company Novo Nordisk, the actor and rapper recounted how many people with obesity experience weight discrimination from medical staff. Sharing her personal connection to the issue, the Girls Trip star – whose real name Dana Owens – toldPeople: “I saw my cousin have to deal with this issue – she was morbidly obese and she went in and out of the hospital. “There were so many things she had to face. And for a doctor to just say, ‘Oh, you need to lose some weight.’ Well, it’s not that easy. Everyone’s bodies are not the same. We all deserve specific individual care.” Latifah, 53, backed the campaign’s call for “inclusive obesity care” ensuring everyone can feel “welcome and respected” when they visit the doctors. “Imagine how good it must feel when a patient walks through that door and sees the appropriate chairs or office set-up, that someone has considered them, has taken the time to think about what their needs are,” the Hairspray star said. “There’s a sense of, ‘I’m respected here. I’m welcome here’... If you’re discouraged to get into your doctor’s office, then that’s not a good thing.” When a person is defined as obese, this means that they are overweight “with a lot of body fat”, the NHS says. The World Health Organisation (WHO) explains that the terms “overweight” and “obesity” are used to refer to “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health”. It is estimated 64 per cent of adults in the UK are obese or overweight. Last summer, a British study found that obese patients were being “weight-shamed by doctors and nurses”, with weight stigmatisation pushing patients to skip appointments. The stigmatisation leads to patients avoiding appointments, feeling depressed or anxious and being more likely to put on weight, scientists said. The British researchers said there needed to be better education for medics over “weight stigma” to avoid this spilling into healthcare. The scientists looked at more than 3,000 research articles on the topic to identify strategies to tackle negative biases towards overweight and obese patients. In doing so, this could help to tackle the UK’s obesity crisis, as negative biases over weight limit access to healthcare services and treatment. Read More Joe Wicks defends decision to pull five-year-old daughter out of school Woman adopts husband’s ex-wife’s son after growing up in foster care herself Man who went to Turkey to make himself taller says pain was ‘worth it’ As Simon Cowell shares positive therapy experience, how can it help even if you aren’t in crisis? Man who went to Turkey to make himself taller says pain was ‘worth it’ Terminally ill mum prepares for worst after numb hand turns out to be deadly disease
2023-08-31 22:16
Campbell Soup sees upbeat annual profit on easing costs, snack demand
By Deborah Mary Sophia Campbell Soup forecast annual profit largely above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, encouraged by
2023-08-31 21:51
Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert film coming to movie theaters in October
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to movie theaters
2023-08-31 21:48
Fed's preferred inflation gauge shows a modest rise in latest sign of slowing price increases
An inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve remained low last month, adding to signs of cooling price increases and raising the likelihood that the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged when it next meets in late September
2023-08-31 21:23