Tag: Biden

  • Biden Signs Medical Marijuana Research Bill

    Biden Signs Medical Marijuana Research Bill

    President Joe Biden turns the Healthcare Marijuana Investigation Bill into regulation, modifying how American experts can do investigate on marijuana.

    As anticipated by Marijuana Minute very last 7 days, the White Property declared on Friday that President Biden signed the Health care Marijuana and Cannabidiol Study Enlargement Act, “which establishes a new registration approach for conducting investigate on marijuana and for manufacturing marijuana solutions for analysis purposes and drug growth.”

    The bipartisan invoice was launched in July, quickly passed in the Home in the identical thirty day period, and unanimously approved by the Senate in November.

    Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Democrat), who sponsored the invoice, launched a joint press statement along with Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs Barbara Lee (Democrat), Dave Joyce (Republican), and Brian Mast (Republican) stressing the great importance of these accomplishment.

    “For decades, the federal governing administration has stood in the way of science and progress—peddling a misguided and discriminatory technique to cannabis. Now marks a monumental phase in remedying our federal hashish legal guidelines. The Professional medical Cannabis and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act will make it a lot easier to analyze the impacts and probable of hashish,” the statement reads.

    Moreover, the Reps highlighted how elementary is healthcare analysis on marijuana to realize the comprehensive medicinal likely of the plant to treat a extensive array of medical problems and pledged to function on ending the war on medication via a sequence of approaching proposals that will reshape the position of marijuana at the federal amount.

    The regulation drastically eases the lives of researchers who would like to review cannabis for healthcare applications, as they had to stick to strict restrictions that could delay their research.

    The new legislation removes federal restrictions in buy to simplicity investigate from finding out the plant and speeds up the software process to approve marijuana-similar scientific scientific studies.

    Below the new legislation, the federal govt has to guarantee an adequate, uninterrupted offer of cannabis obtainable to researchers for studies on health-related marijuana.

    For that reason, researchers will be capable to find out extra about the plant’s clinical attributes and ask for large quantities of marijuana to use for analysis.

    In point, the legislation now needs that in 60 times of obtaining a researcher’s software, the U.S. Attorney Basic has to approve it, request a lot more facts, or deny it specifying the reasons. If scientists submit extra information on request, the Lawyer Common has 30 times to make your mind up.

    Universities and analysis establishments will now be ready to receive U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license to expand, manufacture, distribute, dispense and possess cannabis for investigate reasons, with advice from the Department of Well being and Human Expert services (HHS) and the U.S. Foods And Drug Administration.

    Scientists who would like to do cannabis investigation may perhaps update their protocol without having informing the DEA if the quantity and kind of cannabis, the supply, and the storage disorders of the product won’t alter.

    The laws also encourages the Fda to acquire marijuana-derived medications and addresses the HHS to identify the opportunity healthcare rewards of cannabis or cannabidiol (or CBD) as a drug.

    The Healthcare Cannabis and Cannabidiol Exploration Enlargement Act also intervenes in the doctor-affected individual relationship by allowing for medical professionals to focus on the at this time acknowledged possible harms and benefits of marijuana cannabinoids, such as CBD, as a therapy or the recognised doable damages and advantages of cannabis and its compounds.

    However, the legislation does not permit experts to get cannabis from point out-operate dispensaries and will not likely reschedule marijuana at the federal amount.

    In point, marijuana will continue to be unlawful at the federal stage underneath Routine I of the Managed Substances Act.

    However, the laws signifies a considerable action ahead for professional medical investigation on marijuana in the U.S.

    In advance of the new legislation, doing investigate on marijuana was really difficult in the U.S. as experts necessary acceptance from multiple agencies to perform experiments, which could sometimes choose yrs.

    Additionally, researchers were being only permitted to use marijuana developed by the College of Mississippi, even though the DEA has not too long ago awarded six other cannabis cultivation licenses for investigate to U.S. corporations.

    Biden’s signature of The Health-related Cannabis and Cannabidiol Study Growth Act follows the executive get in October pardoning about 6,500 persons convicted for cannabis possession at the federal degree.

    On that celebration, he also asked the Secretary of the HHS and the Attorney Common to “initiate the approach of examining how cannabis is scheduled less than federal legislation.”

    Though the new legislation doesn’t put into practice a lot more reform at the federal level, it may possibly pave the way for new federal legislation on cannabis, such as the Protected Banking Act, that may possibly relieve the federal limits on the cannabis industry.

  • Biden Will Sign Medical Marijuana Research Bill

    Biden Will Sign Medical Marijuana Research Bill

    President Joseph Biden will sign bipartisan legislation passed final 7 days to advance study into cannabis, in accordance to multiple media stories. The bill, known as the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Investigate Expansion Act, was authorised by unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate after be handed by the Property of Associates in the course of the summer season.

    The laws is a significant milestone in cannabis policy reform, marking the first time a standalone cannabis measure has been authorised by the U.S. Congress. The bill necessitates the U.S. Lawyer Genera’s office environment to consider well timed motion on programs to perform scientific research with hashish that have been submitted to the agency for approval. The president’s intention to signal the laws was initial exposed by Bloomberg and later on verified by a White Residence spokesperson.

    “Yes he’ll signal it,” a White Residence spokesperson instructed Cannabis Moment in an e mail.

    U.S. Residence Handed Invoice In July

    Democratic Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, the co-sponsor of the legislation in the Residence with Maryland Republican Agent Andy Hariss, observed the significance of the invoice just after the Senate voted to approve the evaluate on Wednesday.

    “After performing on the problem of cannabis reform for a long time, lastly the dam is starting to split. The passage of my Clinical Cannabis and Cannabidiol Investigate Enlargement Act in the Property and Senate represents a historic breakthrough in addressing the federal government’s unsuccessful and misguided prohibition of cannabis,” Blumenauer, the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, explained in a assertion. “As we have witnessed in condition right after point out, the community is weary of ready for the federal governing administration to catch up. Extra than 155 million Americans—nearly fifty percent of our nation’s population—now reside in states in which grownup-use of hashish is lawful.”

    In July, the bill was passed in the Home of Representatives by a vote of 325 to 95. In the Senate, wherever the legislation was passed by unanimous consent on November 23, the bill was sponsored by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii.

    “For considerably far too prolonged, Congress has stood in the way of science and progress, making barriers for scientists trying to review hashish and its advantages,” Blumenauer ongoing. “At a time when a lot more than 155 million Us residents reside where by adult-use of hashish is authorized at the condition or local level and there four million registered clinical marijuana buyers with many far more most likely to self-medicate, it is critical that we are equipped fully analyze the impacts of cannabis use.”

    Invoice Eases Federal Constraints On Cannabis Analysis

    The invoice is intended to ease federal limits on scientific research into hashish, which is however categorised as a Timetable 1 managed compound. The legislation streamlines the application course of action for the acceptance of cannabis-connected scientific research, producing it less complicated for scientists to recognize the potential clinical benefits of cannabis. The measure also would make it a lot easier for scientists to request big quantities of cannabis for their scientific studies.

    Under the legislation, the U.S. attorney standard would be given a 60-day deadline to approve an application for cannabis investigation or post a request for added details to the research applicant. The monthly bill also involves provisions to really encourage the U.S. Food items and Drug Administration to guidance the advancement of cannabis-derived remedies.

    “There is considerable evidence that marijuana-derived medicines can and are giving significant health and fitness benefits. Our monthly bill will make it easier to analyze how these medications can treat different circumstances, resulting in far more individuals becoming equipped to effortlessly obtain safe remedies,” Feinstein claimed in a assertion. “We know that cannabidiol-derived medicines can be productive for problems like epilepsy. This bill will help refine latest medical CBD practices and develop essential new apps. Immediately after a long time of negotiation, I’m delighted that we’re finally enacting this monthly bill that will consequence in crucial investigation that could assistance tens of millions.”

    After the invoice officially lands on the president’s desk, he will have 10 times to signal the legislation or veto it. If he fails to act in that time, the measure will go into outcome devoid of Biden’s signature.

  • Senate votes to send cannabis research bill to Biden (Newsletter: November 17, 2022)

    Senate votes to send cannabis research bill to Biden (Newsletter: November 17, 2022)

    Interstate marijuana commerce suit; Biden: cannabis moves are “top” achievements; Reps want banking data; GOP Congress legalization plan; MD hearing

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    • An anonymous supporter: “I am tired of my employer and the government having a say over what I do in my own time. I am tired of hiding in the shadows and risking my job for the only therapeutic agent that can control my anxiety when all else fails. I stumbled across MM while looking for online resources regarding alt-cannabinoids and their legality. MM is an excellent resource for staying up to date on the highly dynamic canna laws in this country, that is published by folks who are serious about their mission to advocate for, and educate others about, cannabis.”

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    / TOP THINGS TO KNOW

    The Senate approved a House-passed marijuana research bill—marking the first time in history that standalone cannabis reform legislation has ever been sent to the president’s desk.

    • Just before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the floor that he’s holding “productive talks” about “moving additional bipartisan cannabis legislation in the lame duck.”

    The White House is touting President Joe Biden’s move to pardon people for cannabis and initiate a review of its scheduling status as one of the administration’s “top accomplishments”—saying it will remedy the U.S.’s “failed approach to marijuana.”

    Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a letter asking the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to provide marijuana banking data—including a demographic breakdown that they say can “inform federal efforts around equitably ending the racist cannabis prohibition.”

    Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) spoke to Marijuana Moment about her plans to advance marijuana reform in a Republican-controlled House of Representatives next year.

    • “The only place that cannabis is controversial is in D.C.”

    An Oregon marijuana business filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the state’s ban on cannabis exports and imports to and from other states—arguing that it violated the U.S. Constitution’s Dormant Commerce Clause.

    The Maryland House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup held its first hearing since voters overwhelmingly approved legalization on the ballot. Lawmakers now need to craft legislation regulating the market, and this latest meeting focused on taxes.

    Three subcommittees of the Louisiana Employment and Medical Marijuana Task Force met to discuss issues related to workplace protections for medical cannabis patients.

    / FEDERAL

    Former President Donald Trump, in his reelection campaign announcement speech, said he would “wage war on the cartels” and reiterated that he would ask Congress for legislation “ensuring that drug dealers…who are responsible for death, carnage and crime” would receive the death penalty.

    Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) said he is open to including expungements provisions in a package of marijuana reforms alongside banking access.

    Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) said he will be watching to see how Sen.-elect John Fetterman (D-PA) evolves and changes “in between periods of marijuana and whatever else it is he does.”

    Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted, “President Biden sent an important signal when he pardoned citizens with federal charges for simple marijuana possession. But there’s still a lot more to do: 1 Expungement. A pardon ends a prison sentence, but it doesn’t erase the charge from your record. People with simple marijuana possessions are still being blocked from accessing housing, employment and other resources. We must expunge records in addition to providing pardons. 2 Pardon immigrants. President Biden’s pardon only applied to citizens with federal marijuana charges. Many immigrants applying for citizenship could continue to face deportation or other adverse consequences for possessing a substance that is now legal in many states.”

    Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) tweeted, “Black folks have been disproportionately locked up for marijuana offenses. Now, we’re being locked out of the growing legal cannabis industry. We need a cannabis policy that centers equity and the people most impacted by the failed War on Drugs.”

    Former Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)  tweeted about the participation of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation, for which he serves as co-chair, in a congressional hearing, saying, “Today’s hearing was a step in the right direction to creating a legal, regulated market for cannabis through federal guidelines.”

    / STATES

    South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) said her reelection effort was “tough” because marijuana and other issues were on the ballot.

    The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to impeach Philadelphia’s district attorney through a resolution that criticizes his decision not to prosecute certain marijuana and drug paraphernalia cases.

    Kansas’s House minority leader wants an interim committee on medical cannabis to have additional meetings.

    A Missouri senator-elect who currently serves as a representative said he would file a proposed constitutional amendment to steer legal marijuana tax revenue toward eliminating the personal property tax.

    Florida has a new top medical cannabis regulator.

    Indiana’s State Police superintendent said he doesn’t support legalizing marijuana but that he hasn’t seen an increase in enforcement near the borders with states that have enacted reform.

    Ohio regulators said it doesn’t appear that the state can enter into a medical cannabis reciprocity agreement with Kentucky under the limited provisions of an executive order on the issue that Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued this week.

    New York regulators are being accused of violating the Constitution with guidance that says recreational marijuana “dispensaries, their true parties of interest, passive investors, and any management service providers cannot have any interest in any business anywhere that cultivates, processes, or distributes cannabis.”

    Oklahoma regulators are accepting public comments on proposed medical cannabis rules through December 15.

    Vermont regulators posted an update on the first six weeks of the state’s legal adult-use marijuana market.

    Arizona regulators will begin accepting applications for nonprofit medical cannabis dispensary certificates on December 16.

    Washington State regulators will host a conversation to explore ideas for modernizing rules for cannabis plant canopy on November 29.


    Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

    Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

    / LOCAL

    The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors voted to suspend the city’s cannabis business tax until the end of 2025.

    / INTERNATIONAL

    The Colombian Senate First Committee approved a report attached to a marijuana legalization bill, with a vote on the legislation itself expected next week.

    Bavaria, Germany’s health minister is urging European Union officials to block his country’s marijuana legalization plans.

    / SCIENCE & HEALTH

    A review concluded that “CBD is a well-tolerated and safe natural compound that exerts analgesic effects, decreasing hyperalgesia, and mechanical/thermal allodynia in several animal models of pain and patients” and that “using CBD seems to be a promising strategy to overcome the lack of efficacy of conventional treatment for chronic pain.”

    A review highlighted the “diversification of clinical trials on cannabinoid-based medications in the past 21 years,” underlining “the increased interest in conducting clinical studies on new cannabinoid administration methods such as topical applications and on the investigation of emerging phyto- and synthetic cannabinoids” and showing that “more clinical trials have been designed to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids in areas such as mental, behavioral, or neurodevelopmental disorders and skin diseases.”

    / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

    A poll of Scottish adults found that they support ending prosecutions of people for possessing small amounts of marijuana, 65 percent to 18 percent, and support enacting the same policy for heroin, 42 percent to 36 percent.

    The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “Thanks to Gov. @AndyBeshearKY’s executive order, medical cannabis can be legally used starting Jan. 1, providing a lifeline to Kentuckians in pain. This is huge — while GOP lawmakers continue to ignore the will of an overwhelming majority of Kentuckians, Gov. Beshear listened.” The party also criticized the state’s agriculture commissioner, saying, “After Ryan Quarles tried to ban Delta 8, a state court ruled that this hemp derivative — which is not a controlled substance under state or federal law — is legal in Kentucky. Yesterday @GovAndyBeshear announced official regulations to ensure it can be sold and purchased safely.”

    ASTM International’s cannabis committee developed a new practice for supplier lifecycle management.

    Oklahoma Southern Baptists adopted a resolution opposing marijuana legalization.

    The director of Americans for Prosperity Montana spoke about efforts to build support for psychedelics policy reform in the state.

    / BUSINESS

    SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a/ Safe Harbor Financial closed its acquisition of Rockview Digital Solutions, Inc, d/b/a Abaca.

    Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. received a $56.8 million investment from a subsidiary of BAT.

    Payments provider Zotto is being accused of withholding money from several CBD companies.

    WM Technology, Inc. has a new chief marketing officer.

    Michigan retailers sold $209.4 million worth of legal marijuana products in October.

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  • Federal judge blocks Biden vaccine mandate for health care workers nationwide

    Federal judge blocks Biden vaccine mandate for health care workers nationwide

    A federal judge in Louisiana issued a nationwide preliminary injunction Tuesday towards President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for wellness treatment staff.

    Judge Terry A. Doughty in the U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana dominated in favor of a ask for from Republican Louisiana Attorney Common Jeff Landry to block an crisis regulation issued Nov. 4 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Companies that expected vaccines for almost each individual entire-time personnel, element-time worker, volunteer, and contractor functioning at a large assortment of health care amenities receiving Medicaid or Medicaid funding.

    Louisiana was joined in the lawsuit by attorneys normal in 13 other states.

    FILE - In this March 2, 2021, file photo, pharmacy technician Hollie Maloney loads a syringe with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine. 

    FILE – In this March 2, 2021, file picture, pharmacy technician Hollie Maloney loads a syringe with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine. 
    ((AP Picture/Robert F. Bukaty, File))

    OSHA SUSPENDS ENFORCEMENT OF COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE FOR Significant Firms

    Doughty argued in his ruling that the Biden administration does not have the constitutional authority to go around Congress by issuing such a mandate.

    “If the executive department is authorized to usurp the electrical power of the legislative department to make rules, two of the 3 powers conferred by our Constitution would be in the identical arms,” he wrote. “If human mother nature and record train everything, it is that civil liberties deal with grave dangers when governments proclaim indefinite states of crisis.

    “For the duration of a pandemic these as this a single, it is even additional crucial to safeguard the separation of powers established forth in our Constitution to steer clear of erosion of our liberties,” he added.

    Noting that the scenario “will in the long run be determined by a higher court than this one,” Doughty wrote, “Nonetheless, it is vital to maintain the standing quo in this scenario. The liberty interests of the unvaccinated requires nothing a lot less.”

    Judge BLOCKS BIDEN VACCINE MANDATE FOR Well being Treatment Employees IN 10 STATES

    Landry praised the ruling, indicating in a assertion: “I applaud Choose Doughty for recognizing that Louisiana is most likely to be successful on the deserves and for delivering however one more victory for the health care freedom of Us residents. While Joe Biden villainizes our health care heroes with his ‘jab or job’ edicts, I will continue to stand up to the President’s bully ways and struggle for liberty.”

    President Joe Biden speaks about the economy and his infrastructure agenda in the State Dining Room of the White House, in Washington, Monday, July 19th, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

    President Joe Biden speaks about the overall economy and his infrastructure agenda in the Point out Eating Place of the White House, in Washington, Monday, July 19th, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
    (AP Photograph/Andrew Harnik)

    “Whilst our combat is considerably from in excess of, I am delighted the Courtroom granted preliminary reduction from the President’s unconstitutional and immoral assault on not only our health care employees but also the accessibility to health care solutions for our lousy and aged,” Landry ongoing. “I will see this situation via to the end – preventing each individual move of the way to stop the federal authorities from imposing clinical tyranny on our citizens and turning final year’s healthcare heroes into this year’s unemployed.”

    Click Below TO GET THE FOX Information App

    Doughty’s ruling echoes just one from U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp, who issued a 32-web page buy on Monday blocking the Biden administration from implementing their vaccine mandate on wellbeing treatment staff in 10 states.

  • Checkup Finds Biden ‘Vigorous’; Harris Briefly in Power | Health News

    Checkup Finds Biden ‘Vigorous’; Harris Briefly in Power | Health News

    By ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press

    BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — President Joe Biden remains “healthy” and “vigorous” and fit for duty, but is showing some signs of aging, his doctor said Friday after the oldest president in American history underwent his first routine physical in office and — in a history-making moment — briefly transferred power to Vice President Kamala Harris while he underwent a colonoscopy.

    Harris, the first woman, first Black person and first person of South Asian descent to be vice president, was — for one hour and 25 minutes — acting president while Biden was under anesthesia.

    Over more than five hours Friday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the president underwent a battery of blood, physical, gastrointestinal, dental, vision and neurological examinations. Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who has been Biden’s primary care physician since 2009, wrote in a six-page memo released by the White House that Biden, who turns 79 on Saturday, “remains a healthy, vigorous, 78-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.”

    O’Connor, however, revealed that he investigated Biden for increased instances of “throat clearing” during public remarks and a stiffening of his gait. O’Connor reported that Biden’s coughing was the result of gastrointestinal reflux and that the stiffened gait was the result of a new diagnosis of “mild peripheral neuropathy,” spinal arthritis and compensation for a broken foot sustained a year ago.

    Political Cartoons

    Interest in Biden’s health has been high ever since he declared his candidacy for the White House in 2019 and remains intense as speculation about a 2024 reelection bid swirls. The visit to the medical center in the Washington suburbs was for his first routine physical exam as president — and his first since December 2019.

    As part of the screening, Biden underwent an “extremely detailed neurological exam” that ruled out stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but caught the neuropathy, which is nerve damage in the hands and feet. O’Connor said the most common cause of the condition is diabetes, but Biden is not diabetic. Biden, he said, would soon try custom orthotics to improve his gait.

    During the course of Biden’s colonoscopy a “benign-appearing polyp” of about 3 millimeters was identified and removed and would be studied over the coming week. O’Connor said Biden has never had colon cancer.

    Biden’s reported body mass index classified him as slightly overweight, but his cholesterol was under control. Biden, O’Connor said, is prescribed the anticoagulant Eliquis, the statin Crestor and the seasonal allergy spray Dymista, and regularly takes the over-the-counter allergy pill Allegra and the antacid Pepcid.

    O’Connor reported that Biden does not use tobacco products or drink alcohol and that he exercises at least five days per week.

    Press secretary Jen Psaki said he resumed his duties after speaking with Harris and White House chief of staff Ron Klain at approximately 11:35 a.m.

    As Biden left the medical center in the afternoon, he said he was feeling “Great!”

    “Great physical and a great House of Representatives vote,” he said, referring to the House passage of his roughly $2 trillion social and environmental agenda.

    After arriving back at the White House, he said “Nothing’s changed” with his health, joking, “We’re in great shape, and I’m looking forward to celebrating my 58th birthday.”

    While serving as acting president Harris was working from her office in the West Wing, Psaki said. She later traveled to Ohio once Biden awoke from the procedure.

    Biden was keenly aware of the history he was making when he selected Harris to be his running mate, Psaki said, adding that she made “history every day” in the job.

    “Today was certainly another chapter in that history I think that will be noted for women, young girls across the country,” she added.

    During Biden’s last physical exam, doctors found the former vice president to be “healthy, vigorous” and “fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency,” according to a doctor’s report at the time.

    In that report, O’Connor said that since 2003, Biden has had episodes of atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that’s potentially serious but treatable. At the time, O’Connor cited a list of tests that showed Biden’s heart was functioning normally and his only needed care was a blood thinner to prevent the most worrisome risk, blood clots or stroke.

    Biden had a brush with death in 1988, requiring surgery to repair two brain aneurysms, weak bulges in arteries, one of them leaking. Biden has never had a recurrence, his doctor said, citing a test in 2014 that examined his arteries.

    Dr. Jeffrey Linder, chief of general internal medicine and geriatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, read the White House report and said it contained nothing that’s particularly worrisome.

    “All in all, according to this report it seems like he’s in pretty good shape, with very common age-related illness,’’ including atrial fibrillation and stiff gait, Linder said.

    While the cause of Biden’s mild neuropathy is unknown, Linder said it is not an unusual problem and not a cause for concern unless it’s bothersome for the president. He added that there is no reason to think the small polyp that was removed was cancerous, given Biden’s previous medical history.

    “I would encourage him to continue to get exercise and eat right and take his medications,’’ Linder said.

    Pursuant to the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, Biden signed letters to Sen. Patrick Leahy, who’s president pro tempore of the Senate, and to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at 10:10 a.m., saying he would be unable to discharge his duties while under anesthesia, making Harris the acting president. Biden sent them each another letter upon the conclusion of the procedure to resume his duties at 11:35 a.m.

    “As was the case when President George W. Bush had the same procedure in 2002 and 2007, and following the process set out in the Constitution, President Biden will transfer power to the Vice President for the brief period of time when he is under anesthesia,” Psaki said before Biden’s colonoscopy.

    On Friday afternoon, Biden took part in the annual pardoning of the national Thanksgiving turkey.

    When Biden took office he brought O’Connor back to the White House to continue serving as his doctor, and O’Connor led a team of experts in conducting Biden’s physical exam Friday.

    Once the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in early 2020, Biden’s team took intense steps to keep the then-candidate and now-president healthy as the virus raged and took a disproportionate toll among older populations. Biden received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020 and his second dose just two weeks before taking office. He received a booster dose, which regulators say provides more enduring protection, in late September.

    Former President Donald Trump, 75, was sharply criticized for releasing only cursory details on his health while running and serving in the White House, including concealing the seriousness of his COVID-19 illness a month before the 2020 presidential election.

    AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner contributed to this report.

    Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

  • 10 states sue Biden administration over vaccine mandate for health care workers : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

    10 states sue Biden administration over vaccine mandate for health care workers : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

    President Biden speaks about COVID-19 vaccinations in Elk Grove Village, Ill. 10 states are filing a lawsuit over the administration’s rule requiring overall health treatment employees to be vaccinated.

    Susan Walsh/AP


    disguise caption

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    Susan Walsh/AP


    President Biden speaks about COVID-19 vaccinations in Elk Grove Village, Sick. 10 states are submitting a lawsuit more than the administration’s rule demanding wellbeing treatment personnel to be vaccinated.

    Susan Walsh/AP

    A group of 10 states has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration and its prerequisite that wellbeing care workers in the U.S. to be vaccinated against COVID-19, declaring the mandate is “unconstitutional and unlawful.”

    Led by Missouri Lawyer General Eric Schmitt and Nebraska Attorney Common Doug Peterson, the 10 states say the required nationwide vaccine need will guide to shortages of wellness treatment personnel and could threaten the work opportunities of “hundreds of thousands of overall health care personnel” who risked their lives for the duration of the starting stages of the pandemic.

    In addition to Missouri and Nebraska, lawyers typical from Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Wyoming, Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota and New Hampshire also joined the lawsuit.

    “Regrettably, with this latest mandate from the Biden Administration, final year’s healthcare heroes are turning into this year’s unemployed. Necessitating health care personnel to get a vaccination or encounter termination is unconstitutional and illegal, and could exacerbate healthcare staffing shortages to the stage of collapse, primarily in Missouri’s rural regions,” Schmitt said in a news launch.

    He says his business office has been tough the Biden administration’s “unlawful edicts” and this is the newest.

    “This scenario illustrates why the police electricity around obligatory vaccination has usually been the province of — and however adequately belongs to — the States,” the lawyers standard argued in their lawsuit.

    The 58-website page lawsuit argues the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Companies vaccine mandate is intruding on states’ law enforcement power, stating it’s a violation of a number of acts and rights, which include the Administrative Treatments Act, the Social Security Act, the Tenth Modification and federalism.

    “By disregarding the specifics on the floor and unreasonably dismissing concerns about workforce short­ages, the CMS vaccine mandate jeopardizes the healthcare passions of rural People,” the lawsuit claims.

    In September, President Biden unveiled a collection of techniques to overcome the surge of COVID-19 situations in the country, announcing that 17 million health treatment workers at hospitals and elsewhere that acquire Medicare or Medicaid funding would have to be vaccinated.

    Final week, CMS issued an interim last rule requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for well being treatment employees in most configurations — this sort of as hospitals and wellbeing techniques — that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid applications.

    The new necessities, which went into effect Nov. 5, will implement to about 76,000 providers.