Health and Safety

It's time for Congress to pick one time that is standard throughout the year! In March of 2022, the Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act, making daylight saving time the new, permanent standard time. The Bill has now stalled in the House. Multiple health risks have been cited in scientific literature during the “Spring Forward” including car accidents, heart attacks and workplace injuries.  Even though many medical professionals prefer Standard Time year-round, any end to the biannual time changes would be beneficial. Since Daylight Saving Time was enacted to conserve coal during WWI, its role is currently obsolete in terms of energy-saving measures. And many Americans find the process extremely unpopular. Most of the country has introduced some form of legislation in regards to ending the time change. In 2018 California passed Proposition 7, making Daylight Saving Time year-round and permanent.  Other states who have proposed legislation include the following: AlaskaAlabamaArkansasColoradoDelaware FloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasLouisianaMaineMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNevadaNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWyoming   Some states had put forth legislation to be on Atlantic Standard Time, a time zone one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time that essentially puts them on year-round Daylight Saving Time.  These include Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. So why put the country through time changes twice a year?  Whether you're #SickOfSpringForward or #FinishedWithFallBack, it's time Congress puts an end to Daylight Saving Time changes and keeps one time throughout the year! More information can be found here:  https://doctordaliah.wordpress.com/2021/03/01/most-of-the-us-ready-for-biannual-daylight-saving-time-changes-to-end-sickofspringforward/ Daliah Wachs, MD, FAAFP Paul Kalekas, DO, FACOI  

What's going on? In October of 2020 I attended a meeting of the United States Cannabis Caucus, chaired by the office of Representative Earl Blumenauer. I was asked by veterans from across the country to read a list of concerns from our community to those present, along with a plea to be considered in the upcoming MORE Act being put forward for a vote. Our request fell on deaf ears, and at the following meeting I was told by Blumenauer’s office our issues would not be addressed in the MORE Act. Subsequently, I began working closely with Representative David Joyce’s office, and others. In the time that has passed since I first engaged the caucus in a meaningful manner, the approach has been fine tuned. This includes outlining remedies which, if adopted through legislation by congress, could potentially address many of the hardships currently being faced by our veteran community. Principally the reliance on pharmaceuticals, and the correlating suicide rate within our ranks. The most viable real-world pathways for these policy recommendations have been provided to the powers that be. These include identifying specific committees and departments within the government, as well as accompanying legislation which may be used as a vehicle. Which ones? Appropriations Committee Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy $922 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for Substance Use Disorder treatment/prevention. Suggested using some of those funds to implement a harm reduction model centered on cannabis treatment, and other services/resources available through the VA’s “Whole Health” program. MilconVA Bill “The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides healthcare for 9,200,000 veteran enrollees, disability compensation benefits to nearly 6,000,000 veterans and survivors, pension benefits for over 357,000 veterans and survivors, life insurance for more than 5,500,000 veterans, servicemembers and their families, educational assistance for nearly 900,000 trainees, and interment of more than 130,000 veterans and eligible family members in national cemeteries. To adequately serve the nation’s veterans, VA employs more than 425,000 people, making it one of the largest Federal agencies in terms of employment.” -Source Suggested expanding the VA’s “Choice Act” to include medical cannabis dispensaries and doctor recommendations in states where state regulated cannabis dispensaries have been established. National Defense Authorization Act VA–DOD Joint Venture Facilities- Training and healthcare. Tying in that veterans are federal patients under federal responsibility. Military personnel/veterans require similar language from the HOPE Act be applied to them, which requires the attention of DoD, and adjustment to the UCMJ code pertaining to cannabis use by military personnel. Once again, if the federal scheduling of cannabis under the CSA is addressed, and whole plant cannabis is properly placed/descheduled, this is more of an administrative procedure, as opposed to a political action. Labor, Health, Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Suggested expanding the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program through the Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs, so as to ensure veterans residing in states without medical cannabis dispensaries can still gain access to federally grown cannabis from the multiple sources available. Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Looking into the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The President of the United States chairs the OSTP. Vice President Harris is a member of the NSTC. In a perfect world, federal legislation would be passed which: * Releases to the public data collected per VA directive 1315 and its predecessors, since 2011; * Releases to the public all relevant data from the federal compassionate IND program pertaining to the safety, and efficacy of cannabis being used by the participating federal patients who have passed away, since 1976; * Provides for training and continuing education uniformly across the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level including, but not limited to the history of cannabis medicine; the function of the endocannabinoid system; new discoveries as research is conducted; and federal/state policy in order to best uniformly integrate treatment into federal patient care; * Uniformly expands the federal Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program (IND) through the VA; * Recognizes veterans enrolled with, and receiving care from the VA as federal patients, requiring laws/policy being applied uniformly in all fifty states and territories of the U.S., reflecting the unique status of military (federal) personnel; * Provides an identifier on VA patient data cards identifying participating veterans as federal cannabis patients; eliminating threat of prosecution/incarceration while traveling within the U.S. or on federal property with their medicine;  * Provides for VA to grow cannabis for veterans participating in the expanded IND program, and occupational therapy programs. Uniformly promoting home cultivation, and medicinal access to a broad variety of cannabis products, and; * Provides for a cannabis voucher system within the VA for veterans to access cannabis under individual state medical cannabis programs/dispensaries.Charters through Congress, new Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) working in this field. State Program Template These recommendations are intended to provide guidance related to veterans and medical cannabis in states across the country. The American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars are hemorrhaging membership, and posts across the country are falling into disrepair and foreclosure. These need to be transitioned into members-only compassion centers for our women and men who have served their country. Based on experience in the trenches, the following are observations/suggestions of what baseline policy veterans need states to implement: * Recognize cannabis as a viable treatment option for veterans within their borders. * Provide incentives within the cannabis space as are already offered for veterans in other state programs, such as fee waivers, job placement, and special licensing considerations. * Provide for cannabis dispensary licenses to be used by new or existing Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs)/Compassion Centers who choose to move away from alcohol sales. * Protect the ability of these VSOs/Compassion Centers to host cannabis farmer’s markets. * Protect the ability of these VSOs/Compassion Centers to give/receive cannabis donations to/for veterans in need. A new VSO is needed so veterans can engage with each other and their community in a healthy, productive manner. This new VSO model does not involve alcohol. It implements a more conducive, harm reduction approach geared toward: * Reducing the suicide rate within the veteran community; * Reducing the dependence on pharmaceuticals within the veteran community; * Providing a safe environment for veterans, their families, and friends; * Increasing the quality of life for veterans, and their families; * Establishing new networking opportunities within the veteran community; * Identifying and perpetuating positive trends within the veteran community; *Designing metrics to monitor the utilization/effectiveness of proposed programs. Agriculture Therapy Program Promoting Post Traumatic Growth As it relates to the individual, gardening is a great way to engage the natural world. There are many programs geared toward assisting transitioning service members who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture. Whether for therapy, as a profession, or hobby, growing cannabis should be encouraged. From learning more about the medicine they are growing, to providing a way to earn a living, or by furthering their education, veterans stand to benefit greatly in this field.  How should we schedule Cannabis Sativa L. (“Marijuana”)? As federal patients receiving our healthcare through the department of veterans affairs, we feel Cannabis should remain on the Controlled Substances Act list within the United States of America. There are a number of reasons for this, which we will outline in greater detail below. To state it plainly, the VA is going to need to know how to categorize the various cannabis products that are available within their pharmacy system, as well as which various controls are required for specific preparations.  Additionally, any honest discussion regarding the medical use of Cannabis has to include warnings of potential negative side effects, ideally this discussion will be among the patient and their primary care physician. It is not appropriate to throw veterans seeking medical treatment into a recreational market for political expediency. We are medical patients. For all intents and purposes, keeping Cannabis within the CSA legitimizes the medicinal use of this traditional herb, and keeps the patients at the center of the conversation, where they belong.  Cannabis Sativa L. as it stands currently within the CSA  Schedule I “Schedule I drugs have high potential for abuse. These drugs have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, marijuana) is still considered a Schedule 1 drug by the DEA, even though some U.S. states, including California, have legalized marijuana for personal, recreational use, or for medical use.” Where would we place Cannabis within the CSA?  RSO/Hash (Schedule 3) above 75% THC concentration) pharmaceutical preparation (synthetic) Schedule III “Schedule III drugs have less potential for abuse than Schedules I and II drugs. These drugs have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of the drug may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.” Concentrates (Schedule 4) 35%-75% THC concentration) Schedule IV “Schedule IV drugs have low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III drugs. These drugs have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of these drugs may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to Schedule III drugs.” Botanical Cannabis (Schedule 5) Schedule V “Schedule V drugs have low potential for abuse relative to schedule IV drugs. These drugs have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of these drugs may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to Schedule IV drugs.”

Did you know that currently in the State of Maryland, it is not against the law for a Tier III Registered Sex Offender to be alone with a minor?  It is considered child neglect or endangerment to leave a young child home alone or in a car, but you can tuck a child into bed next to a convicted pedophile and walk away for the night having committed no crime.  In 2017 my family fell apart when I discovered that my husband had abused one of my daughters.  He was later indicted on felony child sex abuse charges, held in jail without bond, and eventually accepted a plea deal for a 10-year suspended sentence and a lifetime registration as a Tier III Registered Sex Offender.  Several months ago, one of my daughters revealed that on her "supervised" visits with Daddy, the family member that was entrusted with providing the supervision was allowing her and her sister to sleep alone with Daddy.  Child Protective Services and Law Enforcement got involved, eventually determining that no actual laws were broken, because it is currently not against the law for a registered sex offender to sleep alone with a child.  Therefore, it is solely up to me to continue fighting as to why I refuse to allow my children to return to that previous visitation situation.  It is hard enough to become a single mother of three daughters without warning, to lose 75% of your household income in one day, to try to carry your children through the most traumatic event of their lives, let alone having the additional burden of exhausting all of your energy and resources in constant battles to protect your children.  The legal fees have already topped $23,000, and who knows how much higher they will get. According to Darkness to Light, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse, about one in ten children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.  There are an estimated 42 million child sexual abuse survivors currently living in the United States, and as much as we would like to think that the predators are far removed from our families, 90% of child sexual abuse victims knew their abuser. This year, there will be approximately 400,000 babies born in the U.S. that will eventually become victims of child sexual abuse unless we do something to stop it.  The problem is much more wide spread than many of us would like to believe, as the statistics are drastically under reported.  According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, only 12% of child sexual abuse is ever reported to the authorities. The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault reports that 73% of child victims don’t report the abuse for at least one year, with 45% not disclosing for at least five years.  Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults, including assaults on adults, occur to children ages 17 and under. We would like to think that we can identify someone who isn't safe, and protect our children from them, but it's not always that easy.  Sometimes unsafe people look just like safe people.  Sometimes the unsafe people are coaching your kid's soccer team, or at a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese, or sitting next to you in church.  Once someone has been identified as unsafe, there should be laws in place to ensure they cannot have the opportunity to offend again.  Currently the only restriction in the State of Maryland is that a registered sex offender cannot step foot on school property.  But there needs to be more when the conviction involved a child.  Abusers should not be allowed at any event designated for children, regardless of whether or not it's on school property, and they most certainly should not be legally allowed to be alone with children.  Help me keep my children safe.  Help me keep YOUR children safe and create boundaries to minimize the opportunity for someone convicted of abusing a child to gain access to your children.  Child safety is greater than abuser rights. Please sign this petition and share so it can reach more supporters.  If this reaches other states, research the laws where you live, and if they are inadequate, message me and I will help you fight in your state, too.  If you have any feedback on other avenues to pursue these laws, or even suggestions on resources for my personal family situation, please contact me at keepthebabiessafe@gmail.com.  Thank you so much for your support. 

4-Way Stop Signs NEEDED: Driving home from work tonight on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 around 6:35pm, I came across yet another 2-car accident at the intersection of Lenape Unionville Road and Locust Grove Road (corner of Bailey’s Dairy Farm).  I’ve lived in the Preserve at Chadds Ford for 10 years now and I’ve seen over 15+ accidents at this intersection where there are stop signs on Locust Grove but not on Lenape Unionville Road.  Due to the angles of the road and bad visuals with overgrown trees, plus excessive speed, there are accidents here all the time.     Instead of Pocopson Township putting in stop signs here, they put them down the street on Locust Grove at Haines Mills Road (at the Y intersection) where I have never seen an accident.     If you would like to see stop signs on Lenape Unionville Road at this intersection (see picture), please sign this petition and I will take it to the Pocopson Township.     As I stopped to talk with all parties involved in the accident tonight, thankfully everyone was okay.  This can be avoided so EVERYONE is safe.