Jimmy Carter speaks out on marijuana legalization

I was pleased to read that Jimmy Carter is promoting a nuanced view when it comes to marijuana use.

He is:

• Pro-decriminalization
• Anti-legalization

In addition, if it is not clear, he doesn't believe there should be advertising for marijuana and that we should not allow driving under the influence of it.  Also, he supports avoiding using the drug entirely, especially among young people.

Good points, I think.

Link: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/jimmy-carter-marijuana-legalization-91561.html

New documentary on mindfulness education and research

This new documentary, Free the Mind, looks really interesting.  And not just because it focuses on some of the work being done at my alma mater and current workplace.  I can't wait to see it!

Link: http://www.news.wisc.edu/21781

Experts including the Dalai Lama convened recently in Madison to discuss the issues of wellbeing

I really enjoyed listening to the Dalai Lama and several other experts on health and wellbeing share their perspectives and advice during the recent 'Change your Mind, Change the World' event held here in Madison on Wednesday, May 17th.  The bottom line of the sessions was that we need to devote more on a personal and community level toward emotional health through interventions such as mediation and more attention to substance abuse and mental health resources and services.  You can watch the public sessions from the Overture Center on Wednesday online via Wisconsin Public Television.

Link:  http://host.madison.com/news/local/dalai-lama-other-leading-thinkers-say-emotional-health-key-to/article_3611133a-9f24-5283-9ffd-5c6ce0778952.html

Major U.S. panel finds no evidence for limited salt intake

An expert committee put together by the U.S. Institute of Medicine and commissioned by the Centers for Disease Control has found there to be no evidence suggesting that individuals will benefit from restricting their sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams per day.  Previous guidelines, including the recommended daily dietary intake of between 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams, have been found to exist without justification.

While not a part of the study, it is known that the risk of heart attack and stroke can be significantly reduced by other means, such as by eating less meat and by exercising more.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/health/panel-finds-no-benefit-in-sharply-restricting-sodium.html

U.S. National Transportation Safety Board proposal to reduce legal driving blood content to .05%

This seems like a wonderful idea to further reduce the number of fatalities and injuries which occur in the U.S. related to drinking and driving - currently that figure is over 10,000 deaths per year.  Automobile deaths of children age 14 and younger were caused by a drunk driver 17% of the time.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/us/legal-limit-drunken-driving-safety-board.html and http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html

CO2 levels highest in human history; average daily level in atmosphere exceeds 400 ppm

Congrats, humans.  You are well on your way to destroying life on earth as we know it!  Groups like 350.org are trying to reverse the alarming trend of climate change... it may not be too late to do something about it.

Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/science/earth/carbon-dioxide-level-passes-long-feared-milestone.html