Cannabis, according to the United Nations, continues to be “the most widely cultivated, produced, trafficked and consumed drug worldwide.” And yet, when it comes to medical marijuana, there is still uncertainty about its benefits. That’s because scientific trials are difficult when it’s still an illegal drug on the federal level. Thorsten Rudroff of Colorado State University is studying people with multiple sclerosis who are already using medical cannabis to investigate what symptoms the drug can effectively treat. His preliminary results are promising.
Progressives have scored many victories in recent years. But with Congress, the White House and the Supreme Court all soon to be controlled by conservatives, how can progressives protect their wins while making inroads elsewhere? Well, for a start, they should decide what a progressive actually is, argues Boston College’s Sandra Waddock. To do so, they should learn from their conservative rivals, who have been remarkably effective at articulating what they stand for, while progressives resemble a “bucket of crabs.”
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A woman with MS leaves a licensed medical cannabis dispensary in Illinois.
AP Photo/Seth Perlman
Thorsten Rudroff, Colorado State University
There are many anecdotal reports indicating cannabis' beneficial effects for treating MS symptoms, but research with cannabis is difficult to do.
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Economy + Business
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Sandra Waddock, Boston College
Conservatives have been very successful framing a compelling narrative about who they are and what they stand for. Progressives will have a tough four years if they don't do the same.
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David Collins, City, University of London
President-elect Donald Trump has offered the UK a quick post-Brexit trade deal but he'll face some legal hurdles to make it happen.
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Arts + Culture
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Lisa Wade, Occidental College
New ways of expressing discontent are constantly emerging. Could mass shootings join what sociologist Charles Tilly has dubbed the 'repertoire of contention'?
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Environment + Energy
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Arvind P. Ravikumar, Stanford University
Infrared cameras are the technology of choice for detecting gas leaks across the U.S. New research shows that these cameras can be quite inaccurate, and leaks can persist without being detected.
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Politics + Society
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Heike Becker, University of the Western Cape
Representatives of Namibian communities affected by the 1904-1908 genocide have filed a class action against Germany in the U.S. seeking reparations for atrocities committed by Imperial Germany
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Rest of the World
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United Kingdom
Andrew Coates, UCL
Enormous odd feature presents puzzle for scientists. United Kingdom
George Feiger, Aston University
The system is rigged for a small minority to profit, but are we brave enough to deploy the solutions that would work? Africa
Elloise du Toit, University of Cape Town
The bacteria in a mother's breast milk are important because it helps develop a baby's gut. Research shows this bacteria are different depending on where mothers live and what they eat.
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