An occupational therapist and practicing attorney discusses the power of engagement as a means to improving outcomes in patients with chronic pain conditions—and why this approach is good public policy as well.

By advancing from a problem/solution perspective to a holistic life coaching approach in the management of chronic pain, both clinician and patient can achieve better, more satisfying, longer lasting outcomes.

ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal is skeptical of a Macon lawmaker’s idea of growing medical cannabis in Georgia, saying he is not convinced the state could control the use of the plant.

“I still don’t think we have sufficient information or ability to control something of that nature if we start production and processing here in our state,” Deal said Wednesday morning.

That puts a roadblock in front of a plan by state Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, to try and legalize in-state growing as early as next year of specially-bred cannabis used to make medicine.

Georgians who have certain severe illnesses and who have a doctor’s recommendation can possess a liquid cannabis medicine under a state law that Peake pushed through the Legislature earlier this year.

Russ Belville of MarijuanaPolitics.com recently unveiled a disheartening announcement issued by the Oregon Health Authority: indoor cannabis cafes, like Portland’s World Famous Cannabis Café and The Other Spot will be forced to shut down come January due to unfortunate changes to the Oregon Clean Air Act.

Lawmakers have introduced the following changes to the law (bolded emphasis courtesy of Mr. Belville):

The menorah bong is having a moment.

By now, you may have seen the year-old YouTube video of a bearded guy in a blazer lighting all eight bowls of the Grav Menorah — a cross between a glass bong and a traditional hanukiah — and taking one massive toke.

But the religiously inspired cannabis consumption device, which retails for, yes, $699 at 420Science.com, was not originally intended for sale. In fact, David Daily, the 35-year-old glass blower and businessman behindGrav Labs — the scientific glass company he founded a decade ago in Austin, Texas — made the menorah bong a few years back for the sole enjoyment of his family.

Hey, it's possible to overdo any good thing, even getting high! Responsible cannabis use involves setting some boundaries and sometimes saying no. Recreational marijuana should enhance one's life, not muffle or hobble it. All things are not best experienced high!

We all have different lifestyles and tolerance levels, but here are some signs that you just may be using too much. Don't think if you check four yeses you must check into rehab! But if a question resonates with you, you might consider cutting down.

While THC remains federally illegal, the legalization of hemp has opened up the way to powerful – and legal – cannabinoids.

Although limited in scope and requiring reams of red tape, the U.S. Farm Bill signed into law by President Obama in 2013 contained a relatively well-known but underappreciated provision which lifted federal restrictions on cannabis cultivation – in the form of hemp – in states which had passed equivalent reforms.

The time is long overdue for marijuana to be legalized by both federal and state governments. In 1971, I was a college freshman debater, and one of the issues was whether marijuana should be legalized. As I researched the topic, the arguments were overwhelmingly in favor of legalization, and it was difficult to put together a credible case for continued criminalization.

More than 40 years have gone by, and possession of marijuana remains illegal under federal law and in 46 states. Only Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington have legalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.

An Australian company called RxMM Health, based in Perth, is making a play for the fast-growing, American marijuana industry. The company has applied for a license to grow and sell medical marijuana in southern California.