Image (c) Mateusz Stachowski

According to CBC News, a man who sexually assaulted a woman was recently found "not criminally responsible" because he was asleep at the time of the attack. He suffered from a rare sleep disorder, known as sexsomnia.

Apparently, he was considered not a significant threat to public safety, and was discharged without restrictions. I feel there is something very wrong with the outcome of this case, and here are some of the reasons why. Read more...

Image (c) www.taatgen-fotografie.nl

According to MedPage Today, the American Medical Association has changed it's policy on medical marijuana.

They are asking for marijuana to be moved out of Schedule I, in which drugs considered to be unsafe, highly risky for abuse, and having no medical use are placed -- without specifying the schedule under which it belongs -- for more research to be conducted into the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, and for funding to be made available for research. Read more...

Image (c) Hyperorbit/sxc.hu

An article on controvery discussion site "Opposing Views" suggests that medical marijuana may help reduce aggressive behavior in children with autism.

Although this is a complex issue, my gut reaction is negative. Here are some of the reasons why. Read more...

Image (c) Charles Thompson

A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal has shown that daily smoking of crack cocaine increases the risk of HIV infection, independently of other risk factors.

The study followed over 1,080 injecting drug users who were HIV negative at the start of the study, and found that 137 had become HIV positive at follow up. The risk increased over time, and was independent of other risk factors such as needle sharing, sex work and unprotected sex. Read more...