Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
States Warn Parents To Check For THC Candy In Trick-Or-Treat Bags
NPR: Attorneys General Issue Warnings For Marijuana Candy Ahead Of Halloween
As Halloween is approaching this weekend, several state attorneys general across the country have issued warnings to parents to be on the lookout for marijuana edibles that can easily pass as regular candies and snacks. Attorneys general in Ohio, New York, Illinois, Connecticut and Arkansas all released statements Tuesday, a part of a coordinated effort to advise parents about the dangers of marijuana edibles. Each attorney general warned that look-alike products may contain high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the main compound found in marijuana and if consumed by children, it could lead to an accidental overdose. (Franklin, 10/27)
In news about West Nile virus —
AP: Human Case Of West Nile Virus Confirmed In Vermont
The Vermont Department of Health has confirmed a human case of West Nile virus for the first time since 2017, the department said Wednesday. The Chittenden County resident was diagnosed earlier this month with a more serious form of the illness affecting the nervous system, called neuroinvasive disease, the Health Department said. (10/27)
In other news from across the U.S. —
Dallas Morning News: East Dallas County Cities Join Forces To Improve Mental Health Response By First Responders
City leaders from Balch Springs, Mesquite, Seagoville and Sunnyvale on Tuesday announced a major collaboration to address mental health response needs in East Dallas County. With financial support from a $900,000 Dallas County grant, the cities have created the Southeast Alliance Community Care Team, a partnership that city leaders call a new unified approach toward public mental health response needs in all four communities, according to a press release. The cities first announced plans to collaborate in March to address public mental health concerns. (Waters, 10/27)
Health News Florida: FSU Researchers Hope To Reduce Racism In Health Care Using Systems Science
The impacts of racism can be deadly — especially in the field of health care, where disparities highlight health inequities between white and minority communities. A group of Florida State University researchers received a $3 million grant through the National Institutes of Health to help change that. Sylvie Naar says when she found out her team had received the grant, she was in tears "because it was like we were actually getting funded to do something about racism in the world." (McCarthy, 10/27)
Health News Florida: Fried Says The Application Rules For Medical Marijuana Licenses Are Discriminatory
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says the Florida Department of Health’s rules for applying for medical marijuana licenses are discriminatory. An emergency rule from the Department of Health covers medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC) licenses applicants who are also members of a landmark class action lawsuit, Pigford v. Glickman. That case resulted in a $1.25 billion settlement for Black farmers who faced discrimination when applying for loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Peddie, 10/27)
The Boston Globe: As Scientific Labs Replace Offices, Pushback Is Mounting From Wary Neighbors
The rapid growth of biotech labs in Greater Boston might end up saving the region’s commercial real estate market, if not its entire economy, from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. But that doesn’t mean everyone wants one next door. A common complaint revolves around the hefty HVAC systems that lab buildings need. They can be noisy and tall, sometimes 30 feet or more on a rooftop, an intrusive change for some neighbors. Some critics say they worry about safety in spaces where potentially hazardous materials are handled. Others dislike the labs’ round-the-clock operations, with foot traffic and lights at all hours. (Chesto, 10/27)
