A new Siena Research Institute poll [pdf] of 810 New York State voters found that 50 percent support legalizing the use of medical marijuana in New York, while 41 percent oppose it. (9 percent say they either don't have enough information, or they're paranoid the feds are tapping their phones.) 72 percent of those who consider themselves liberal support medical marijuana, and 62 percent of those hippies are between 18 and 34 years old. As for the opposition, pollster Steven Greenberg says, "Republicans, upstaters, older voters, and African American, Catholic and Protestant voters oppose it." more ›

In addition to approving a measure that loosens restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, Michigan voters also approved a medical marijuana ballot measure yesterday by an overwhelming majority, voting 63% to 37% to remove state-level penalties for registered patients using marijuana. But unlike other states such as California, the bill won't create legal dispensaries for the drug. Of course, not every one was for it: 20-year-old poindexter Claire Luczak, an uptight junior at the University of Michigan, said she voted against the proposal because "it would be too easy to get it. I know hundreds of people who smoke pot, and I think people would get it for recreational use and not legitimate reasons." And yesterday Massachusetts voters approved a marijuana decriminalization proposition that will make getting caught with less than an ounce of pot punishable by a civil fine of $100. [Hat tip Camera Club.] more ›

There are worries that a proposed $50,000 surcharge on all MD's in the state could do irreparable harm to New York's health care community. The state's medical malpractice liability fund is underfunded, and state insurance superintendent Eric Dinallo is looking for ideas. more ›