sound money

Marijuana industry in Israel grows with government support

"The medical marijuana industry in Israel is growing rapidly — with no organized government or religious opposition to be found. Today, there are more than 10,000 Israelis who have the government’s go-ahead to use medical marijuana, a major jump from just a few hundred in 2005. Next year, marijuana may be available in pharmacies, a step just a few other countries have made. The lack of opposition means Israel is poised to keep moving forward on research." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMarijuana industry in Israel grows with government support

Former Obama drug policy adviser predicts weed war if states legalize

"The Obama administration will not just sit by and watch as up to three states attempt to implement laws legalizing marijuana, one of the president’s former senior drug policy advisers predicted Sunday. Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, who spent three years as a senior adviser to Obama’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, warned that voters in Colorado, Washington and Oregon may just bring fire and brimstone down on their heads if they vote for ballot measures that would legalize marijuana under state law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Obama drug policy adviser predicts weed war if states legalize

Poll suggests win for initiative repealing Michigan’s emergency managers law

"Public Act 4 of 2011, pushed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R), allows Michigan to appoint managers to municipalities and school districts facing financial struggles, turning the power of elected local officials over to state bureaucrats. Snyder has said the law is necessary to resolve fiscal crises within the state. The managers have sweeping powers, being able to cut public workers, slash services, sell off public infrastructure, cancel union contracts, overrule and even fire elected officials, and write all contracts as they see fit. Benton Harbor, Flint, Pontiac, and Ecorse are currently being overseen by emergency managers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPoll suggests win for initiative repealing Michigan’s emergency managers law

Another Argument against Gun Control: Hurricane Sandy

"After riots swept parts of the United Kingdom last year, I wrote about the moral argument for gun ownership. Simply stated, it is wrong to disarm law-abiding people, particularly when there is a risk of societal breakdown. The same argument is equally applicable in the areas ravaged by the recent storm to hit the northeastern United States. As you can see from this report in the New York Post, the government is failing in its responsibility to provide law and order." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnother Argument against Gun Control: Hurricane Sandy

Gas Lines, Gouging, and Hurricane Sandy: Keeping Prices Low Means Nobody Gets Fuel

"So why does it look 1973 all over again at gas stations throughout New York and New Jersey? Hurricane Sandy knocked power out to New Jersey's gas refineries, causing shortages throughout the region. Govs. Chris Christie and Andrew Cuomo responded by doing exactly the wrong thing: They threatened to prosecute any station owners caught raising prices, thus removing any incentive to truck more gas in from other parts of the country. Thanks to a cadre of small businessmen, though, Brooklyn residents have an alternative to spending all day in line." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGas Lines, Gouging, and Hurricane Sandy: Keeping Prices Low Means Nobody Gets Fuel

How to Fix the Gas Shortage: Let ’em Gouge

"A lot of people suppose that the anti-gouging laws are a remnant of some puritan past, like laws that ban buying alcohol on Sundays. But they aren’t. The first one was passed in New York in 1979 in response to rising heating oil prices, according to an essay on the laws by Michael Gibberson published in Regulation last year. Three more states adopted similar laws in the 1980s, eleven more in the 1990s, and 16 in the last decade. These aren’t ancient blue laws—they are a growing legal innovation. Again you’re probably asking: why? As it turns out there is one set of actors who does benefit from these laws—politicians." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow to Fix the Gas Shortage: Let ’em Gouge

Apple Loses Rights to Sell iPhone Brand in Mexico

"The court ruled against an injunction by Apple requesting that a Mexican company with the registered name iFone cease using their brand, in order to avoid possible confusion among customers. The Mexican company had registered its brand in 2003, four years before Apple’s registration for the iPhone brand name in the country. iFone, a telecommunications company, later countersued for damages, meaning the Mexican company could have rights to 40% of Apple’s iPhone sales revenue in the country." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingApple Loses Rights to Sell iPhone Brand in Mexico

Close monitoring of prostate tumors may make radiation, surgery unnecessary

"Close monitoring of prostate cancer tumours may make radiation and surgery — which can cause incontinence and impotence — unnecessary, a new study has shown. Prostate cancer is one of the slowest-growing forms of the disease, and many men with tumours may never develop symptoms during their lifetime, meaning that many are treated unnecessarily — often with serious side-effects. A study has now shown that many prostate cancer sufferers may dispense with treatment if they opt instead to undergo active surveillance." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingClose monitoring of prostate tumors may make radiation, surgery unnecessary