Portland woman breaks into another apartment and raises mental health help concerns

Jason Robinson on December 26, 2022

By now, residents of Portland, Oregon, know of Terri Zinzer, who has been arrested multiple times in recent months.

In every incident, it was clear that Zinzer needed mental health care, but the situation in the city made it difficult to do so.

A few weeks ago, Terri Zinzer is said to have walked into a house and laid down on a bed.

Last week, she was caught again in another break-in, and Zinzer missed a court hearing on Monday.

The latest incident

Zinzer’s break-in occurred at around 4:30 PM at an apartment on Northeast 17th Avenue near Northeast Broadway.

According to Drew Doety, his mother came home from work and found a stranger on her bed.

“She unlocks the door to find a person sleeping in her bedroom under her blanket,” Doety explained.

“At first, she thought it was my sister, but then discovered that it was a random person, random woman in her bed.”

“She yelled at them to get out, then realized that it was just better to leave the apartment and call the police.”

Doety said his mother went back in to check the situation and found the woman hiding in a closet with her clothes on.

When the police arrived at the property, Zinzer barricaded himself in the bathroom.

Doety said police had to break down the door and take her away in handcuffs.

“I would say it was a pretty distressing situation for everybody involved,” he said.

“And definitely not the kind of thing that you expect to come home to, but in Portland, it is seeming more and more commonplace.”

Terri Zinzer

Drew Doety’s sentiments rang true, especially in the case of Zinzer, whose actions shed some light on the flaws in the justice system for not getting her help.

Although the prosecutor said she needed mental health care, Zinzer refused.

As a result, she has had more confrontations with the police in recent months.

Past incidents

Terri Zinzer’s first confrontation with the police began in July when she was caught stealing in Gresham.

However, the district attorney’s office did not charge her anything.

A few weeks later, police caught her committing trespass, but the district attorney’s office has not yet filed a lawsuit against her.

On September 12, Zinzer broke into Kelsey Smith’s home, with the break-in captured on security video.

Initially, the prosecutor’s office said they would not charge him, but claimed Zinzer needed psychiatric care, not prison.

Instead, they chose to file a complaint.

Terri Zinzer was indicted last week.

An arrest warrant was later issued on September 19 after missing a hearing in Clackamas County.

During that hearing, it was going to be determined if she was mentally capable of handling another theft case.

On September 27, Zinzer was arrested for theft, disorderly behavior, and false information.

Since the district attorney’s office had not filed a complaint, she was released from prison.

On September 30, Zinzer broke into Doety’s apartment.

After the break-in

Drew Doety and his family were shocked by the event and are currently waiting for the police before taking any action.

“Definitely violating to have somebody come into your home and to find somebody in your bed,” he said.

“So we spent the night basically sanitizing the entire apartment, and now it’s a matter of calling the police and insurance and hoping everything can get solved.”

According to Doety, they plan to file a complaint.

Zinzer was supposed to appear in court on Monday, but was instead held in solitary confinement.

According to court documents, she yells and swears at officials, knocks on the cell door, and spits on the windows.

Prior to the current situation, Terri Zinzer was charged with 16 offenses in 2018.

Even then, she didn’t seem to get the help she needed.

Reference:

Justice system appears unable to provide necessary mental health help for Terri Zinzer

Drug shortages persist across the US as pharmacy shelves remain empty

Jason Robinson on December 19, 2022

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Customers are searching pharmacies around the United States as demand surges due to drug shortages.

Due to the shortage of popular prescription drugs like Adderall and amoxicillin, pharmacies are compelled to restrict the number of pills they sell.

Another justification for travel by parents of unwell kids is the quest for over-the-counter medications.

Shortages

Drug shortages, according to experts, are not uncommon.

They assert that although it usually happens more quietly, it occurs regularly in the US.

David Margraf, a pharmaceutical research scientist from the Resilient Drug Supply Project at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, said:

“Shortages hit a lot of different patient populations with different drugs and whatnot, but many of those don’t get a lot of headline news because they’re very niche.”

The reason for the empty shelves can vary based on the place and the drug at any given time because every shortage has its own unique causes.

“They’re all a different tale,” said Margraf.

“There’s commonalities between them, but each one is a little bit different, and it’s very tedious trying to figure out what’s going on sometimes.”

Factors

Drug shortages are frequently problematic since there aren’t enough economic incentives to develop them.

However, availability may also be impacted by a scarcity of ingredients, labor issues, or production delays.

Despite being a global leader in developing novel therapies, the US nevertheless depends on other countries for the production of its medications.

Bindiya Vakil claims that imports from China and India account for a large portion of the raw ingredients required to make new drugs.

Vakil is the CEO of Resilinc, a company that tracks supply chains and maps them to notify clients as soon as danger arises.

Disruptions in China or India could have a cascading effect on goods supplies (such as a work stoppage at a Chinese firm because of its recently relaxed zero Covid policy).

Despite normal product levels, the current cold and flu season in the US may make it difficult for families to find what they need due to high demand.

Reports

Several groups around the nation are tracking drug shortages.

The nonprofit American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists represents hospital pharmacists.

It keeps track of claims of drug shortages in the US and verifies the information by getting in touch with manufacturers.

Nonprofit organizations define drug shortages as issues with the supply that affect how a pharmacy prepares or dispenses pharmaceuticals or that have an impact on patient care if doctors are obliged to use alternatives.

Data from the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists show that as of late September, there were 260 active drug shortages, down from the 264 shortages reported in the second quarter of 2022.

Two hundred eighty-two active shortages were present in the second quarter of 2019, which was close to the record high.

The FDA keeps an eye on drug shortages and receives information directly from manufacturers.

However, it defines shortages differently.

Pharmaceuticals are said to be in short supply when all commercially available goods are insufficient to meet the current demand.

Additionally, shortages occur when a legitimate alternative producer cannot meet present or future demand, keeping patients in the dark.

According to the FDA, there are currently fewer drugs in limited supply than there were in 2011 when there were 251.

They kept an eye on 41 drug shortages in 2021.

Three hundred seventeen shortages were averted that year.

To address the “persistent problem” of medicine shortages, the FDA formed a task force in 2019.

It could be challenging to resolve when they occur because some situations last for years.

For instance, the demand for Adderall surged considerably between 2020 and 2021.

Leading manufacturer Teva attributed the delays to a lack of laborers.

But the problem has since been resolved.

Because Adderall is a controlled substance, it is governed by tight government laws.

The Drug Enforcement Administration imposes manufacturing limitations to prevent patient misuse.

According to David Margraf, Adderall shortages are anticipated to last until 2023.

Vulnerability

Typically, generic medications that run out are affordable injections.

They have strict production requirements, which makes them expensive to produce.

Additionally, because of their lower profit margins, firms find it less viable to produce them.

Some generics, like antibiotics, are vulnerable to shortages, though.

Researchers claim that the problem recently affected a few amoxicillin formulations.

Companies generally produce generic pharmaceuticals on demand rather than keeping stock on warehouse shelves.

Several manufacturers claim that the 2022 orders did not cover the increased demand.

Even when companies become aware of scarcity, manufacturing and shipping different products takes weeks or months.

Senior Director Vimala Raghavendran works for the US Pharmacopeia (USP), a nonprofit group that sets high standards for the following:

Dietary supplements
Food
Medications

“Really, it comes down to economics,” offered Raghavendran.

USP has tracked pharmaceutical supply chains for the past three years using its Medicine Supply Map to identify and stave off potential shortages.

“Antibiotics are 42% more likely to be in shortage compared to other classes of drugs,” said Raghavendran.

“They have lower price points, so there’s less incentive for manufacturers to invest in excess capacity.”

“And then you throw in an unexpected shock, like a demand increase because of the surge in RSV and the flu and Covid, and the supply chain is not able to absorb that shock.”

Staying ahead

There are systems and backup plans in place to avoid drug shortages.

If there is an interruption in the supply or production of medicine, manufacturers are required to inform the FDA.

It frequently makes it possible for the business to avoid problems.

However, companies are not currently required to alert the FDA to increased demand.

“But that’s something we’re really encouraging companies to do,” said an official.

“Let us know if there’s a spike in demand so that we can work with them early on, just as they can with supply disruptions.”

Drug shortages are a primary priority for the Biden administration, according to the White House.

The government highlighted the executive order on America’s supply chains that President Joe Biden signed in February of the prior year.

It instructed the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to identify and record risks in the supply chain for pharmaceuticals and their active ingredients and make recommendations for reducing those risks.

Reference:

Empty pharmacy shelves shine a light on vulnerabilities in US drug supplies

Flavored tobacco banned in California, stores required to add warning signs

Edward Anderson on December 13, 2022

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Flavored tobacco: On Monday, the Supreme Court denied a request by RJ Reynolds to challenge a California law banning the sale of flavored tobacco products.

RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company

RJRT (RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company) is the second-largest tobacco company in the United States.

The company’s cigarette brands account for over a third of the country’s cigarette sales.

RJRT offers products in all segments of the cigarette market and manufactures many of the best sellers in the United States, including:

Newport
Camel
Snus
Pall Mall

The ban

In November, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 31.

It bans the sale of most flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.

Menthol cigarettes are one of the company’s biggest sellers, and RJRT has argued that the new California law conflicts with tobacco control law.

The Tobacco Control Act provides authority for the federal Food and Drug Administration to regulate the sale of cigarettes.

The court first passed the law two years ago.

However, the tobacco companies successfully funded a campaign blocking its implementation and raised the issue in the 2022 statewide vote.

The judges upheld the law without explanation or opinion from the public.

The ban will take effect on December 21.

The law

In November, Californians went to the polls to approve the ballot initiative by a majority of 63.5% to 36.5%.

The law, SB 793, states:

“Proposition 31 (SB 793) prohibits in-person stores and vending machines from selling most flavored tobacco products or tobacco product flavor enhancers.”

“The proposition does not ban shisha (hookah) tobacco sold and used at the store, certain cigars, or loose-leaf tobacco.”

Additionally, the law defines flavors as anything beyond the regular flavor of tobacco., including:

Fruit
Menthol
Honey
Chocolate
Vanilla

The law imposes a $250 fine on store and vending machine owners who violate the requirements.

Arguments

Lawyers for RJ Reynolds argued that the lower court wrongly ignored federal law and allowed states to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products outright because they failed to meet tobacco product standards.

Further, the attorneys noted that in 2009, Congress passed a sweeping regime to divide tobacco product regulatory powers between the FDA and state and local governments.

They also said the law gives the FDA primary authority to regulate tobacco products.

During the legal briefs, California urged the judiciary not to interfere in the dispute.

They argued that states had exercised their authority to protect the health of their citizens for more than a century.

California attorney Rob Bonta said the law was needed, saying:

“Flavored tobacco products are the central cause of unfavorable trends in youth addiction to tobacco.”

Bonta also pointed out that the tobacco industry spent tens of millions of dollars persuading voters to repeal California’s ban, which it did not.

Furthermore, the attorney said that when Congress passed the Tobacco Control Act 13 years ago, it protected established state authority over selling tobacco products.

California ban conclusion

Following the ban on flavored tobacco products, attorney Bonta applauded the Supreme Court for rejecting Big Tobacco’s recent attempt to block California’s common sense ban.

“The voters of California approved this ban by an overwhelming margin in the November election, and now it will finally take effect,” said Bonta.

“I look forward to continuing to defend this important law against any further legal challenges.”

Health warning signs

Last week, the Justice Department announced that cigarette manufacturers would be required to post warning signs at retail locations about the health effects of smoking.

The ordinance will come into effect on July 1, 2023.

It is the latest in a long line of court-ordered actions in a 1999 lawsuit against cigarette manufacturers.

Past lawsuit

The order stems from a 1999 lawsuit filed in the District of Columbia by a coalition of anti-tobacco and public health advocacy groups.

This led to a ruling that cigarette manufacturers were misleading consumers about the health risks of smoking.

Since 2017, similar health warnings have appeared in newspapers, television, cigarette packs, and company websites.

The order

The Justice Department order requires the following brands of cigarettes to show the signs for two years.

Philip Morris USA Inc
RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company
Four cigarette brands under the ITG Brands

Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta released a statement, writing:

“Justice Department attorneys have worked diligently for over 20 years to hold accountable the tobacco companies that defrauded consumers about the health risks of smoking.”

The signs

The ordinance requires retail signs to have an eye-catching design that includes warnings such as:

“Smoking cigarettes causes numerous diseases, and on average 1,200 American deaths every day.”

“The nicotine in cigarettes is highly addictive, and that cigarettes have been designed to create and sustain addiction.”

According to the Justice Department, the order applies to more than 200,000 outlets in the United States that have merchandising agreements with cigarette manufacturers.

References:

Supreme Court declines to block California’s ban on flavored cigarettes

Supreme Court upholds California ban on flavored tobacco

Cigarette companies ordered to display health warning signs at retailers

Jesse Deacon Jones, a certified nutritionist, shares his fitness journey

Jason Robinson on December 12, 2022

A certified nutritionist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Jesse Deacon Jones was an overweight kid hailing from a small farm town. Belonging to a blue-collared family, his father was a welder, while his mother was a nurse. From a very young age, he became obese and started to lose weight. Unfortunately, due to his degenerative knee disease, he was unable to do any cardio for more than a decade. Yet, he wanted to lose weight and fit in amongst the popular crowd. This is where he came up with a diet plan to lose weight without any cardio.

Being a trainer and nutritionist helped him devise a strategy to monitor calories and lose weight. In fact, his degree in Communications from Boise State University allowed him to reach out to audiences far and large so they can benefit from his journey and experiences. “I have been fat and learned how to lose weight without any cardio. I lost 100 pounds and have kept it off effortlessly without staying hungry. I want to teach other people how they can do it too,” Jesse Deacon Jones shared. “I also started losing my hair and found out that the cure to stopping it from falling out and it is not what most doctors will tell you to do. I can show people how to stop their hair loss by not wasting their time or money on hospital visitations and expensive medicines,” he added.

Moreover, Jesse has established an online learning portal, truthmsterclass.com, where you can learn about real, everyday problems and get practical solutions to those problems. Since the creator, himself, is someone who has gone through the process and understands the physical, mental and moral challenges of being obese and losing hair, he can be a true inspiration who talks from experience and not just theory. His years of knowledge, practice, and numerous trials and errors have been condensed into hour-long classes. The first two masterclasses are focused on fat loss and hair loss. And in the coming days, more categories will be available, including acne treatment, muscle building and other health and fitness-related topics people need help with.

The masterclasses are for individuals who have tried other conventional methods to improve their lives or when the traditional advice has literally failed them. If they have tried everything to lose weight or stop hair loss for years without any success, then this is the right place for them. The benefit is to learn actual solutions to such problems instead of the popular or mainstream simple versions that have been fed to us for generations now.

Jesse Deacon’s success rate has been 100 percent until now. He is not the only one who lost weight through his diet plan; his brother shed 100 lbs as well. Jesse’s achievements can be gauged by the fact that he went from an obese man to a ‘Men’s Physique’ competitor at 5 percent body fat. He doesn’t believe in offering the same run-around, eat less and move more solutions that everyone else does, but in fact, he focuses on a diet plan that doesn’t starve you and helps you lose weight at the same time. “Just give me one hour of your time, and you will gain over 20 years of knowledge,” Jesse Deacon Jones expressed. “I regret not starting my website earlier and thinking what I was doing wasn’t that important. On the contrary, the information I have can help people and transform their lives for the best; hence, I need it to get out there to the masses.”

Apart from that, Jesse emphasizes the importance of consistency and motivation in fleeting, which comes and goes. That is not the key to success. It is essential to remember that consistency is the key. It doesn’t matter how you feel or how busy you are when you have decided to achieve a goal and become the best version of yourself. For that, you have to stay focused. If you keep working hard, then the process only gets easier with time.

This has been Jesse Deacon Jones’s biggest strength as well. He doesn’t give up. He keeps trying new things until he finds the right answer, and once he does, he follows it to the tee. He understands that quitting is always easier but if you are determined to change your current situation, giving up is not an option. All he did was found alternate ways that could work in his favor instead of dieting and exercising. If you are one of those who are not happy with your weight or worried about hair loss or acne, follow Jesse Deacon Jones’s guide and learn directly from the expert.

Lurie Children’s Hospital dispute over unionization

Jason Robinson on December 5, 2022

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Lurie Children’s Hospital is one of the best hospitals in Chicago, but there has been a dispute between nurses and management.

Nurses from Lurie are at odds with management after receiving what they describe as anti-union messages.

The news

Leaders of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago recently told nurses forming a union was unnecessary.

Leaders sent a letter signed by the hospital’s head nurse and assistant head nurse.

According to the letter, nurses do not need a union to speak on their behalf.

In addition, the administration is concerned about the impact of a union on the work culture.

Management sent the letter earlier this month.

The last few years have been some of the busiest at Lurie Children’s Hospital as the pandemic has taken a toll and tested the healthcare system.

Among the challenges the hospital face were:

Staffing shortage
Higher-than-normal patient-to-nurse ratios
Burnout

Reception

A Lurie nurse spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times and requested anonymity.

They worked at the hospital for nearly two decades, over 16 years.

“You feel as if you’re a bad nurse because you are limited in the time you can spend with each of your patients,” said the nurse.

“Lurie nurses strive to give the best care we can give, and that really hits us at our heart when we feel like we can’t give that.”

The hospital’s response

Meanwhile, Lurie Children’s Hospital spokeswoman Julianne Bardele said the hospital respects workers’ organization rights.

However, she noted that unionization could significantly impact the work environment.

“Like most pediatric healthcare organizations, Lurie Children’s has faced challenges that have made nursing harder,” said Bardele.

“But we remain committed to working directly with our workforce to address concerns and to continue to foster a culture built on mutual respect and shared dedication to providing a healthier future for every child.”

Directors

Executives and directors of Lurie Children’s Hospital ignored concerns nurses tried to discuss issues relating to staffing and improving working conditions.

“Every month, we will sit down and go through issues,” said another Lurie nurse of six years.

“I brought up some issues that I was concerned about, and my director was… I wouldn’t say yelling, but she got very short with me.”

According to the nurses, they felt discouraged and even threatened by management when they received the letter.

They also said they wanted the letter to at least add some compromises.

Lurie’s experienced nurse elaborated and said:

“[Some of the phrases used in the letter] really made us feel little because many of us have spoken and continue to speak and have gone those routes and avenues that they talked about in that letter, and then it’s crickets afterward.”

Reference:

Lurie Children’s Hospital nurses at odds with management over potential to unionize

Binghamton University research finds unidentified chemicals in tattoo inks

Leah Cooper on December 5, 2022

Although a tattoo may look interesting, researchers have found that the chemicals in tattoo inks contain certain chemicals, especially when not labeled correctly.

Researchers have warned that unregulated tattoo ink may contain unknown ingredients and possible carcinogens.

Discoveries

Binghamton University scientists analyzed nearly 100 different tattoo inks and found that manufacturers’ ingredient labels are generally inaccurate.

They also discovered that many of the inks used contain tiny nanoparticles that can be harmful to human cells.

The researchers presented their discovery at the American Chemical Society meeting in Chicago this week.

Lead researcher John Swierk, a Binghamton chemist, said the project began when his group was intrigued by the prospect of tattoos as a medical diagnostic tool.

His interest shifted to laser tattoo removal, focusing on how laser light could fade tattoos.

“We realized we didn’t understand a lot about the interaction between light and tattoos,” said Swierk.

“My group studies how light can drive chemical reactions, so it was a natural fit.”

Their discovery provided insight into the chemical composition of tattoo inks, which has yet to be thoroughly researched.

Tattoo ink

Not much is known about tattoo inks in the United States, as manufacturers are not required to disclose ingredients.

According to Swierk, in rare cases there is no real control over the accuracy of the disclosures.

Although the tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the ink is not considered a medical device.

Tattoos are regulated as cosmetics in the United States.

Cosmetic products and ingredients do not need to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration before they are released to the public.

“Surprisingly, no dye shop makes pigment specific for tattoo ink,” said Swierk.

“Big companies manufacture pigments for everything, such as paint and textiles. These same pigments are used in tattoo inks.”

Pigment and particle studies

John Swierk and his team used a variety of techniques to determine the particle size and molecular composition of tattoo pigments using highly specialized machines capable of analyzing inks at the molecular level.

“The more surprising thing we found is just how much inaccuracy there is,” said Swierk.

“I won’t say that it’s inaccurate for every single manufacturer… but certainly, we’ve looked at a pretty significant subset, and we’re finding a recurring issue of incorrect labeling.”

The team studied the two carrier solutions, which Swierk says are the liquid part that carries the pigment, which is usually a mixture of alcohol, water, and pigments.

They found alcohols not listed on the label in 20 of 24 carrier solutions examined. The team also looked at particle size.

“Usually the rule of thumb is that particles with a particle size of around 100 nanometers or less start to become a concern from the human health standpoint,” explained Swierk.

“Because they can penetrate into cell nuclei.”

So far, the team has analyzed the particle size of 16 inks and found that half have an average particle size of 100 nanometers or significantly less.

The risks

Regarding the risks of tattooing with certain inks, Doctor Abdelmalek, dermatologist and ABC News correspondent, said:

“Having a tattoo with ink does carry some risks – the risks aren’t very common, but they are there.”

Abdelmalek said the body sometimes reacts to tattoo ink as if it were a foreign substance, leading to granulomatous reactions, which she describes as almost an allergy under the skin.

“You have this complex interaction, and this manifests with bumps on the skin or raised area on the skin,” said Abdelmalek.

“It’s a little bit like detective work because you have a person who comes in with a multicolored tattoo, but you might be noticing that only the red ink is reacting.”

Allergic reactions to tattooing include symptoms such as itching, infiltrated papules, nodules, or localized spots to tattoo ink.

“If you are a type of person who has had allergic reactions to other things in the past, you really want to think about knowing what kind of dyes are going into your skin,” said Abdemalek.

According to Abdemalek, red colors cause the most problems with allergic reactions.

People with pre-existing skin conditions like psoriasis may experience flare-ups or flare-ups after getting a tattoo.

References:

Tattoo ink is under-regulated, scientists say

Scientists explore chemistry of tattoo inks amid growing safety concerns

ERs Across America are Seeing an Increase of Cannabis-Induced Psychosis

Edward Anderson on December 1, 2022

In 2019, 19-year-old man named Johnny Stack developed acute psychosis after years of consuming highly concentrated recreational THC. He became convinced that he was being followed and that his dorm room was bugged. Unfortunately, this caused him to leap from a six-story building to his death.

Just three days earlier, Johnny told his mother, Laura, “I need to tell you that you were right… Right about the marijuana. You told me weed would hurt my brain, and it’s ruined my mind and life. You were right all along. I’m sorry, and I love you.” He died just three days later.

As heartbreaking as Johnny’s story is, there’s been an increase in similar cases that have come to light. And they all involve recreational marijuana.

In fact, in 2022, a married couple named Meg and Scott noticed that their son Kyle was acting odd. He started showing signs of depression, irritability, and wanted to drop out of high school.

He began losing touch with reality and was convinced that his dad “ran the mafia” and was responsible for putting President Joe Biden in office. He also demanded $10 million from his parents.

Terrified and concerned for their son’s mental health, Meg and Scott checked Kyle into a psychiatric facility. Due to his disturbing behavior, they were confident that he was taking hardcore drugs. However, Kyle only tested positive for his Attention Deficit Disorder prescription and marijuana.

Thanks to his parents, Kyle is now on the road to recovery. However, his story, along with Johnny Stack and so many others, shows that there’s something severely wrong with the cannabis industry.

Recreational THC is far more powerful than a few decades ago

Laura Stack, the mother of Johnny Stack and the founder of Johnny’s Ambassadors, has become an advocate against marijuana abuse in Colorado. She stated, “When I speak at parent nights at schools, most adults still think it’s like the weed we smoked when we were teens in the ’80s, [which had] between 3 to 5% THC per gram of flower… We never had today’s high-potency concentrates, vapes or edibles.”

However, these days cultivators have developed breeding practices that allow them to grow marijuana plants with higher ratios of THC.

In fact, the strongest marijuana flower people can purchase from their local dispensary is one that contains 25% THC.

That said, the THC products that are the most popular are the ones that have been formulated using chemically stripped THC. Marijuana edibles and other THC concentrates, like THC dabs, wax, and vape pens often contain 90% pure THC or higher.

With this level of THC potency, it’s no wonder that experts have seen a rise in cannabis users experiencing psychosis, dependency, and other unwanted symptoms.

“We’re now counting 37 cannabis-related diagnoses a day… It’s been steadily increasing over the years. When I started in the 1990s, there was no such thing. Now I see 1 to 2 cases per shift. The most common symptom is psychosis,” according to Dr. Roneet Lev, emergency medicine and addiction specialist at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego.

People are consuming THC-dominant products at an alarming rate

Unfortunately, 57% of Americans are still under the impression that marijuana is non-habit forming and completely safe to consume. They believe that recreational THC can cure their sleepless nights, anxious thoughts, and aches and pains.

But with the potency of today’s recreational THC being off the charts, it’s become apparent that people are not only becoming dependent on this particular cannabinoid, but they’re suffering from severe adverse reactions as well.

According to Ben Cort, national alcohol and drug policy expert of the Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Hospital:

“THC is a more readily available drug, and the perception of harm is at the lowest point in recorded history. We treat more people for THC disorder than for opiate disorder right now… And the vast majority of them have THC-induced psychosis.”

One eye-opening study found that even moderate doses of pure THC can cause symptoms of psychosis—and that’s in a staggering “40% of people who lack a family history of psychosis.”

Other studies show that if you’ve ever suffered from a cannabis-induced psychotic break, and continue to consume THC thereafter, you have a 50% chance of developing permanent schizophrenia.

But what makes THC even more dangerous is that today’s THC concentrates are so highly potent that it makes it nearly impossible for people to quit.

And the worst part is, there’s currently no approved medical treatment to alleviate or reverse the harsh symptoms of THC intoxication. Instead, medical professionals must rely on sedatives that aren’t always effective, especially in severe cases.

However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Anebulo Pharmaceuticals is bringing awareness and an innovative solution for THC overdose and substance addiction

With more states legalizing the sale of highly concentrated THC products, Anebulo Pharmaceuticals has noted a medical need to create an antidote for cannabis intoxication.

It’s called ANEB-001. And it’s been clinically proven to slow down and obstruct cannabinoids such as THC from attaching to CB1 receptors—thus reversing and even preventing the unwanted symptoms of Acute Cannabinoid Intoxication (ACI).

According to Simon Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Anebulo:

“Access to cheaper and higher potency THC products will continue to increase the incidence and severity of emergency department visits related to cannabinoid intoxication.

With no FDA-approved therapy, individuals intoxicated with cannabinoids have few treatment options and may require expensive follow-on interventions for neuropsychiatric complications such as anxiety and acute psychosis.

ANEB-001 has the potential to mitigate these unfortunate circumstances and reduce their burden on individuals, society, and our healthcare system.”

As unregulated marijuana products continue to lead to more medical emergencies across America, Anebulo Pharmaceuticals will continue to raise awareness regarding the dangers surrounding these products.

Journey of Brian Mark: From a drug addict to fitness champion

Claire Peterson on November 28, 2022

Many athletes have been open about their drug and alcohol use and getting sober. The story of Brian Mark is no exception. From hitting rock bottom to establishing a million-dollar business, this thirty-year-old entrepreneur’s life was no less than a bumpy ride. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Brian’s mother had him at the age of 17, and they had to move a lot because of money problems. At the age of 16, Brian Mark got addicted to drinking, drugs and partying. It seemed that there was no way out, but he knew how to overcome extreme obstacles.

Brian’s intense fitness and entrepreneurial journey may not have happened if he hadn’t tackled his drug and alcohol addiction first. He says he fell into partying, drugs and alcohol from age 16 to 24, destroying his personal and professional life. Like every addict, Brian Mark’s addiction started with occasional use and soon became an inseparable part of his life. When he realized his serious drug addiction, Brian decided to turn his life around. Quitted cold turkey and began replacing substance abuse with fitness competitions. Brian won first place and became the overall champion at the Leigh Brandt Muscle Classic and had notable performances in many contests he participated in.

Giving up the addiction was the most difficult part for Brian. He was overweight as a youngster but to achieve something big, one has to make strong calls. Despite not having an official college degree, Brian crossed the million mark before he turned 29 and made over 10 million dollars in revenue before turning 30. All of this happened with sheer dedication, focus and an ambition to help others. As Brian said, “Once I turned my life around, I developed a newfound sense of confidence and wanted to share that with others. I became a coach for others, and I was very good at it. So good that my business scaled to $54,000 a month.”

Being associated with the fitness industry for nine years, Brian knew about the struggles that rookie fitness trainers have to face when they begin their careers. Making money as a fitness coach is not an easy task, especially if you don’t know how to get new clients. Brian decided to help such fitness coaches to scale their businesses and make money as he does. For the ones who are tired of doing their daily 8-12 hour work shift, making just enough, Change Lives Academy is the best place. The goal of this ultimate academy is to help people break free from the system and assist them in making $10,000 a month as an online fitness coach.

Starting his business in 2018, Brian Mark is impacting fitness coaches and his clients from all over the world. He has become one of the leading names in the online coaching and fitness industry as he guides fitness enthusiasts and trainers from all over the world to be their own bosses. With PT Domination, Brian has provided his clients with an online trainer escape plan. Now, these people can get paid what they are worth and keep all of the money by themselves. Brian has shown them a way to unchain themselves from the shackles of the 9-5 life and make $10,000 a month by helping people completely transform their lives through health and fitness.

In its short tenure, the academy has helped some students break $10,000 in their first 30 days of the program. For online trainers struggling to attract new prospects and clients to enroll in their program, Change Lives Academy is here to help. The program is designed to help these trainers to get to 5k in their first 90 days working with the academy. Change Lives Academy has helped over 200 students break the $10,000-month mark. And you can be next. With a motto to provide the students with more freedom, more money and complete control over their lives, Change Lives Academy aims to change lives with their proven step-by-step process. The simplified, easy to understand business blueprint, outstanding customer service, and coaches that truly care about your goals provide the academy with a competitive edge over its counterparts. Change Lives Academy has helped students break $10,000 in their first 30 days of the program. However, typical results usually land clients around the 5k a month mark by 90 days in the program.

Sneak peek into the life of Naomi Lievens – Modeling career to Motherhood, and mental health tips

Jason Robinson on November 24, 2022

Supermodel and mental health advocate Naomi Lievens is a curious soul and a woman of many interests. Once she believes the process of learning has slowed down, she moves on to something else. That’s probably the reason why she has explored many avenues. As far as her professional life is concerned, she opened her own bar in Belgium, worked as an architect for a couple of years, helped create a dating application in Greece, and worked as a yacht broker as well as a creative director for a fashion magazine in Paris. And the list goes on and on.

Rather than a conversationalist, Naomi is more of an observant. This trait has helped her understand people even when they have difficulty actually communicating. This gift has worked wonders for her as a mental health advocate, providing support to people in their times of need. Naomi Lievens had a turbulent childhood. At the age of 4, she lost her parents and moved to Malta to live with her uncle.

Six years down the lane, her uncle also passed away, and she moved to live with her aunt. Because of the unsettled early years, adjusting was hard, and she ended up in an institute. While most people would have ended up in worse circumstances, the institute was a great support for Naomi. She learned her major life lessons there and attained some balance. However, she struggled with depression during her teenage years. In fact, her mental health was affected so much that she even attempted to take her life, not once but twice.

To earn a living and survive in the world, she started modeling when she was 15 years old. It was not something she wanted, but she had great potential to become a supermodel and, most importantly, needed the money to make ends meet. From there, it was no looking back for Naomi Lievens, and she ended up working with some of the industry giants like Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Guess, Dolce & Gabbana, Philipp Plein, Dior Beauty, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Elle, etc.

As she rose to fame and became an inspiration for young girls, she realized she should put her influence to good use by helping people understand the importance of mental health. “I noticed that you can create a lot of awareness for the right causes when you have a bigger audience to communicate with. I know from experience that I could help people in a different way than others because I developed a deeper understanding of pain and loss,” revealed Naomi.

She further went on to explain, “People can go through the same trauma and react totally differently to it. Hence, everyone has a different way of understanding and healing from their experience. You learn so much from listening to other people and observing how they talk and act. I see the blockages and the distractions people have put in their heads and guide them to see the deeper issue and work with them on how they can resolve these issues.”

It won’t be an understatement if we say that she has come a long way from her depression and has embraced life to its fullest. While she was on top of her career and supporting people with mental health, she got pregnant. It was an unexpected pregnancy for her as she was infertile for ten years because of a tumor in her brain that was overproducing hormones. In the beginning, it was hard for her, but with a supportive partner and great work opportunities, she found a work-life balance.

“Initially, I was so upset as my whole life had to be put on hold. It took me some time to accept it, but I am very happy with my choice as I see this baby as a miracle, and I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Besides that, I haven’t felt this excited about anything in a long time, and the love I feel for my son is beyond anything I have ever felt before. It is my first true love,” shared Naomi enthusiastically.

Her secret to success, which she even instills in others, is to stop asking for permission or validation from others. Growing up, she lacked self-confidence and constantly needed others to push her for things she wanted in life. Due to this, she missed a few opportunities, which she now regrets. Even today, she encounters many young kids with the greatest talents. But due to the people around them as well as the societal pressures, they hold themselves back and suppress their abilities to shine through.

She believes everyone should find a passion they can completely lose themselves in and flourish. That is one thing that makes them unique. However, there should be a balance; in terms of what we do, what we think, eat and feel, these all require awareness and a sense of equilibrium to grow and prosper in life.

Naomi Lievens is a real-life inspiration for everyone. From battling mental health to becoming a mental health advocate, from a self-conscious young girl to a successful supermodel, and from struggling with health issues to embracing motherhood, Naomi teaches us how to fight tough situations and emerge victorious in challenging times. Indeed, she is a supermodel in the truest essence of the word.

CPAC’s Jan. 6 Exhibit Becomes the Central Attraction Over the Weekend

Claire Peterson on November 17, 2022

An exhibit took place the past weekend at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, and one performance art stood out among the arrangements.

The art

The conversation on the show involved a mock dungeon with a barefoot artist in orange robes.

The artist also wore an easily recognizable red hat with “Make America Great Again” printed in white.

During the exhibition, the speakers were distributed to the general public. Recordings of the moving testimonies of the accused of the January 6 riots were then reproduced.

Reception

Michael Leuffone, director of the School of Education at St. Mary’s University in Minnesota, saw the exhibit and described it as “compelling.”

“It’s stunning, really,” Lovren said.

Freelance journalist Laura Jeeded attended the party on Friday to take over the MAGA booth. He called it “the most astonishing thing.”

Nied also said it was like a silent disco, but “instead of dancing, just stand there and watch this man cry.”

“What I need you to understand is that I stood here for about half an hour yesterday and this guy NEVER broke character,” Jeeded tweeted.

“He wept sitting on the bench. He wept sitting on the floor. He tallied on a chalkboard set up for the [sic] purpise.”

While the show’s theatrical rush sparked online ridicule, attendees reacted differently to the CPAC.

“The crowd was somber as they studied the man in the cage and listened to the audio of people arrested for Jan. 6-related crimes on the headset,” revealed Jeeded.

“No one else seemed to find it particularly funny.”

The concept

The artwork is believed to have been designed to appeal to those who believe that those involved in the January 6 riots should not be jailed for attacking the Capitol.

Despite a Justice Department investigation and committee hearing on Jan.6, many Trump supporters still believe the Mafia has done nothing wrong.

The artist

Behind the cell was Brandon Straka, a former New York hairdresser turned pro-Trump activist.

Straka is also the founder of the non-profit organization Walk Away, an organization that encourages people to leave the Democratic Party.

Earlier this year, Straka was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to being a member of a pro-Trump gang and encouraging attacks on the Capitol.

He underwent lengthy court oversight, but Judge Dabney Friedrich ruled that a three-year probationary period was necessary.

The judge also ordered him to be under house arrest for three months and to pay a $ 5,000 fine.

Despite his conviction, Brandon Straka has been described as a “snitch” and a “traitor” for his association with the FBI.

Straka provided vital information on pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” organizers Ali Alexander, Amy, Kylie Kramer and Cindy Chafian.

He also helped the FBI identify potential suspects who weren’t under their radar.

References:

Jan. 6 ‘prison’ exhibit at CPAC causes stir

Bizarre CPAC exhibit features Jan 6 ‘prisoner’ behind bars and silent disco headphones

A judge unleashed a tirade on a prominent Jan 6. Defendant for his post-plea comments

The latest incident

Terri Zinzer

Past incidents

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Shortages

Factors

Reports

Vulnerability

Staying ahead

RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company

The ban

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California ban conclusion

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Past lawsuit

The order

The signs

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Reception

The hospital’s response

Directors

Discoveries

Tattoo ink

Pigment and particle studies

The risks

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Anebulo Pharmaceuticals is bringing awareness and an innovative solution for THC overdose and substance addiction

The art

Reception

The concept

The artist

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© 2023 The Chicago Journal.
All Rights Reserved