Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
New York, Texas Take Steps To Tackle Synthetic Marijuana
The Wall Street Journal: Bill Would Ban Synthetic Marijuana In New York City
New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said Tuesday she planned to introduce legislation to ban the sale of synthetic marijuana, a drug that has prompted increasing alarm in law-enforcement and public-health circles. “This is a concern that’s growing. We’re trying to get a handle on it,” Ms. Mark-Viverito said a news conference near City Hall. (Gay, 8/25)
The Texas Tribune: Texas To Crack Down On Synthetic Marijuana
Starting Sept. 1, a new law will ban 1,000 possible chemical compounds of synthetic marijuana and make it a lot harder for Texans to buy or sell the drug. (Mutnick and Wiseman, 8/25)
The Washington Post: Maryland Launches Initial Plans To Fight Heroin Epidemic
Maryland will add treatment beds for heroin addicts on the Eastern Shore, boost law enforcement efforts to disrupt dealers and launch a public-awareness campaign about the dangers of addiction as part of an initial state response to a growing and deadly overdose epidemic, Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford said Tuesday. (Hicks, 8/25)
