{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/regulation/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_1969-markdown","title":"What it Takes to Get a NY Medical Marijuana Card","slug":"what-it-takes-to-get-a-ny-medical-marijuana-card","content":"A full 18 months after legalizing medical cannabis, the state of NY finally allows medical marijuana dispensaries to open their doors.  beginning January 7. Patients rejoice. Let the shopping begin! \n\nNot so fast. \n\n**Here’s what you need to know.**\n\nThe dispensaries licensed for business are few and far between. As of mid-January, 2016, there are only 8.  Eight.  Depending on where you are, in the empire state of 55,000 square miles, prepare for a long drive. More are planned for 2016, twelve more, but don’t expect one to appear at the end of the block.\n\nBecoming an actual patient will be difficult.  Unlike other states, severe migraines will not qualify you, neither severe menstrual cramping, nor anxiety, nor clinical depression, nor many other conditions that medical cannabis is known to alleviate.  Instead, you’ll need to be more at the terminally-ill or incurable-disease end of the spectrum. So far, less-than 300 patients have been approved for medical cannabis in New York (as of January 21 2016). If you plan on making the approved list, don’t bother showing up without having Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Epilepsy, Intractable Bowel Syndrome, or Multiple Sclerosis.\n\nRELATED: [NY EXPANDS CONDITION LIST FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CERTIFICATION](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5942b0478f2aa0000c61bc9c/new-york-expands-condition-list-for-medical-marijuana-certifications) \n\nAnd, if you're in the unfortunate position of having one of such conditions you’ll need to be seen, and specially approved, by a qualified state physician. This is not your family doctor – only 265 physicians have so far been given the credential to evaluate. Once seen, and given the certification by a physician, you are then able to register for a card. Yes. That’s right. You’ve come this far and you still have to register with the state before being cleared and given a card.\n\nOh, and just to be absolutely sure you’re not going to abuse your medical cannabis privilege, you’ll not be able to smoke it. New York requires that all medical cannabis product be a drinkable solution, an oil suitable for vaporizing, a tincture, or in capsule form.\n\nRELATED: [NY ALLOWS MORE METHODS OF MARIJUANA CONSUMPTION](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59b3235db8b3ec393021a42a/new-york-allows-more-methods-of-marijuana-consumption)\n\nIf all this seems overly restrictive and harsh, then you’d be right.  It is. It’s symptomatic of the fear, uncertainty and doubt that conservative lawmakers still abide. \n\nIt’s all a bit of shame really. It’s a shame because New York could set a precedent for other states that are wavering on their decision-making.  It’s a surprise because, for so many other reasons, we consider New York to be progressive.\n\nI expect, as time goes by, these harsh restrictions and unreasonable qualifications will relax and be modified. Until then, if you’re a New Yorker, keep your eye on this space and whenever you have the opportunity to share voice on the matter – speak. And whenever you have the opportunity to influence proposition – vote.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/14b42/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.jpg","srcSet":"/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/f836f/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.jpg 200w,\n/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/2244e/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.jpg 400w,\n/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/14b42/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.jpg 800w,\n/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/47498/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/58556/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/61e93/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.webp 200w,\n/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/1f5c5/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.webp 400w,\n/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/58556/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.webp 800w,\n/static/74bb7e483224b4c4d55fbf67433084b2/99238/e871404fa5eeb46e0c986950b6e1a712.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1990-markdown","title":"The Stars Look Very Different Today","slug":"the-stars-look-very-different-today","content":"### The Thin White Duke Departs. \r\n\r\nBy now you’ve heard the news, and if you were anyone like me, you’ve spent more than a moment to revisit some of Bowie's greatest contributions in respect of his passing. This last Sunday was a sad day indeed. The world lost a great artist, a maverick, an iconoclast, and a true creative genius. For countless, he was an inspiration.\r\n\r\nWhile searching for more details of the illness that lead to his death, I came across an article reminding me of a long forgotten incident. On March 22nd, 1976, David Bowie, and a couple of his entourage (including James Osterberg, aka Iggy Pop) were arrested for possession of marijuana in Rochester, NY. The Vice Squad entered a hotel room in which all were present, searched, and recovered about a half pound of cannabis. It could have ended badly, for at the time such an offense could have resulted in 15 years prison time. The jury did not indict him. \r\n\r\n>The original news article from March 22, 1976, [has been re-published here](http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/rocroots/2016/01/11/david-bowie-rochester-arrest-march-1976/78619818/) by the Democrat Chronicle.\r\n\r\nTo me, several things are remarkable about this event – albeit in hindsight. How threatened this conservative society in upstate NY must have felt in order to have gone after David Bowie (and friends) in order to convict and put him away – especially with such zeal. Throughout all media coverage at the time, including transcripts of court appearances and televised interviews, Bowie upheld nothing less than a very polite and gracious persona. He couldn’t have come off any more opposite than what his prosecutors were convinced that he was – a deadbeat, a stoner, and a scourge on society. Unlike many music artists of today, he was a class act. He has always been a class act. It’s absurd that the community leaders of the time were so threatened by Bowie’s perceived representation of moral decline and so convinced of his devil ways. How far we have come. \r\n\r\n### How Far We Have Come \r\n\r\nOr have we? \r\n\r\nI’m fortunate to live in a state (California) that has seen the benefits of cannabis as a holistic catalyst for health and well-being. It’s very likely that this year, 2016, will be the year cannabis use becomes legal for recreation in California too. Yet, so many states, indeed our own federal government, are still holding the arcane view that cannabis has no medicinal value and is still associated with moral turpitude – bolstering the out-of-date stereotype and stigma. This really bothers me. \r\n\r\nHere at HelloMD, the observed demographic of patients that use our service might surprise the politicians and legislators. Daily we see working professionals, veterans, elderly, moms, dads, and people that look like you and me. They may well be your family, your neighbors or your colleagues. None of them are deadbeats. None of them are a scourge on society. All of them have a legitimate health need for using cannabis. \r\n\r\nDavid Bowie, a long time resident of NYC, was probably not able to legally use cannabis as part of his treatment regime. Being terminally ill from cancer of the liver would have surely qualified him to do so, but the laws governing medicinal cannabis enacted by the state came in too late (not to mention the fact that they appear overly restricting).\r\n\r\nAttitudes can change over time, and they are, but there is still much to be done to educate and inform. Those old stigmas and stereotypes need to be put on trial and put away. \r\n\r\nDavid Bowie, you were just ahead of your time. You always were. That is why we loved you. You showed us the future.\r\n\r\nSo long. We miss you already.\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/14b42/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/f836f/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.jpg 200w,\n/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/2244e/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.jpg 400w,\n/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/14b42/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.jpg 800w,\n/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/47498/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/58556/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/61e93/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.webp 200w,\n/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/1f5c5/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.webp 400w,\n/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/58556/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.webp 800w,\n/static/dc16f108390fc8b6e873430cb92e7a46/99238/69abc3c86b2d039cfecebc4f9e6f4c3c.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2009-markdown","title":"What's Holding back Telehealth for Cannabis Evaluations?","slug":"whats-holding-back-telehealth-for-cannabis-evaluations","content":"\n\n\nWhen it comes to the availability of physician recommendations for\nmedical cannabis to patients, consumers across the country have an\nenormous problem: access. Although there have been many thoughts about\nwhy this access problem exists, I attribute it to the ignorance of\nlegislators regarding the benefits of medicinal cannabis and the\nreluctance of my fellow physicians to educate themselves about the\nconditions for which medical marijuana is a very effective treatment.\n\nA perfect example of the former is the recently passed [requirements in\nNew York\nState](https://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/). The\nlaw there lists several medical conditions that patients must have to be\nentitled to see a medical marijuana physician. Unfortunately, one of the\nmost commonly reported conditions, chronic\npain (a condition that cannabis has been [scientifically\nproven](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000216)\nto treat effectively), is not included in the list! This exclusion bars\npain suffers from accessing an effective and much-needed treatment.\n\nThe laws in New York aren't just limiting for patients, though; if a\nphysician in New York wants to participate as a medical marijuana\nphysician, he or she is now required to take a four-hour continuing\nmedical education course at a cost of \\$250, a law that makes New York's\neducation requirements the most stringent in the United States.\n\n### Low Levels of Physician Interest\n\n[Marijuanadoctors.com](http://Marijuanadoctors.com), an information site\nand national clearinghouse that connects patients with physicians\nwilling to certify them, surveyed 500 New York doctors in the early\n2015. The purpose of this survey was to gauge the number of doctors who\nwould potentially participate in the state's medical marijuana program.\n\nAfter the company informed physicians about New York's stringent and\nexpensive training requirements, however, only one physician of the 500\noriginally surveyed was actually interested in participating in cannabis\nrecommendations! Is it fear of being investigated by the FDA? Ignorance\nas to the benefits of cannabis in treating the acceptable medical\nconditions? Time consuming training? I'm sure it's a combination of all\nthree but it makes cannabis access much more difficult, if not\nimpossible, for patients.\n\nWhy Telehealth Access\n---------------------\n\nFor access to medical cannabis evaluations, Telehealth is the best\noption by far. During a Telehealth appointment, a patient can meet with\na doctor via a remote platform from wherever he or she chooses. This\nsaves them the trouble of driving to a doctor's office (sometimes in a\nquestionable part of town and at a great distance), parking, waiting and\nmissing out on other obligations. Telehealth fills an important gap in\nthe current medical marijuana access structure: by bringing medical\nexaminations to patients rather than making them trek to a provider's\noffice, more patients can obtain the access to the care they need. At\nthe conclusion of the virtual meeting, if the doctor feels the patient\nwould benefit from cannabis, they can download a recommendation letter\nimmediately for use at a dispensary. This allows the patients to have\ninstant access for products to help their medical condition. It's\nobvious that Telehealth plays an important role in doing away with many\nof the barriers medical marijuana consumers previously faced. In many\nstates, however, Telehealth care is impossible to access for cannabis\nrecommendations. Why? Because in all states other than California and\nNevada, its illegal!\n\nThe Current State of Telehealth\n-------------------------------\n\nIn enlightened states like\n[California](http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Licensees/Prescribing/Medical_Marijuana.aspx)\nand [Nevada](http://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/Medical_Marijuana/), where\nTelehealth cannabis evaluations are legal, patients can be \"seen\"\nremotely at their own convenience. Why don't more states allow this? The\nanswer, I believe, is the reluctance of physicians to suggest this to\nthe governing bodies as well as the Medical Boards allowing it. Is it\nfear of liability? Fear of the FDA? Financial gain? Telehealth is\nacceptable in 29 states right now. Why not for cannabis?\n\nUnfortunately, in-person examinations are required in the other 21\nstates that allow medicinal cannabis, make accessing medical marijuana\nvirtually impossible for many qualified patients. For example, if a\npatient is housebound, elderly, lacking transportation or unwilling to\nvisit an area of the city where medical marijuana clinics are often\nlocated, that patient is essentially denied care. This is especially\nunfortunate because seniors are currently the fastest-growing\ndemographic\nof medical marijuana users, and they are also especially likely to have\ndifficulty attending in-person consultations. Telehealth care has the\npotential to expand the reach of medical marijuana and help underserved\npopulations gain access to effective cannabis treatments.\n\nThere are many companies that presently use remote platforms to perform\nTelehealth patient evaluations and prescribe medication, some more much\nmore dangerous than cannabis, when appropriate. They have been around\nfor several years, insurance companies use them as a way to increase\naccess and they are growing by leaps and bounds. Patients are flocking\nto these sites for the convenience and privacy that they provide. Why\nshould cannabis recommendations be any different for a medication that\nhas been used medicinally for thousands of years and has a patient\nsafety record that is unbeatable?\n\nAccess for All\n--------------\n\nIn states like California and Nevada, where it's legal, Telehealth is\nalready a convenient and effective form of reaching out to connect\nphysicians and patients who need medicinal cannabis. In the states that\nhaven't caught on to the changing tides, however, it's imperative that\nconsumers speak out on behalf of Telehealth access. Promote Telehealth\nto your legislators and explain to them that they are restricting your\naccess to care.\n\nIt is not enough to only increase the number of physicians who perform\nevaluations. We must push for being able to do this remotely. Doing this\nwill help ensure that Telehealth care is available to every patient who\nneeds it and to provide medicinal cannabis access for all.\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAANABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwABAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQCBf/EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAAf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAABn6MFSOBl/8QAGhABAAMAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACEQMxM//aAAgBAQABBQKu7owRnB6t9j3/AP/EABcRAQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACElH/2gAIAQMBAT8Bhqz/xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhJR/9oACAECAQE/AZYq/8QAHRAAAQIHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECEBESITFBUf/aAAgBAQAGPwItBBW07yT6f//EABkQAAMBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAERIQBBMf/aAAgBAQABPyGQAUnEUD2pfcyvbgbOXBJAJK1n1R3/2gAMAwEAAgADAAAAEHsv/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARAh/9oACAEDAQE/EBjH/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARAh/9oACAECAQE/ENpD/8QAHBABAQEBAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAREAITFBgaHB/9oACAEBAAE/EIXMEvnFT2HgEMgaqBRAkjgb118gwKQgSULfzGMonD2yX63/2Q==","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/14b42/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/f836f/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg 200w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/2244e/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg 400w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/14b42/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg 800w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/47498/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/58556/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/61e93/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp 200w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/1f5c5/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp 400w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/58556/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp 800w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/99238/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1965-markdown","title":"Bernie Sanders Calls for Removal of Cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act","slug":"bernie-sanders-calls-for-removal-of-cannabis-from-schedule-i-of-the-controlled-substances-act","content":"The call for cannabis reform on the national level has been coming from\r\nsome very surprising sources recently, including the American Medical\r\nAssociation (AMA), the Brookings Institution and presidential\r\ncandidates. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders announced\r\nrecently that he is in favor of [removing marijuana from the Controlled\r\nSubstances\r\nAct](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/10/29/why-bernie-sanderss-marijuana-announcement-is-a-big-political-moment-for-pot/)\r\n(CSA). In support of his stance, Sanders introduced a bill into the\r\nSenate that would amend the CSA as well as give states the authority to\r\nmake their own decisions about cannabis and cannabinoids.\r\n\r\nThis statement by Sanders is a major turning point in political debate\r\nover medical marijuana on the national stage. As a serious Democratic\r\ncontender for the White House, Sanders holds an influential position.\r\nHis statements on this issue will affect policy decisions and the\r\nopinions of many others, both inside and outside of his party. The fact\r\nthat Sanders issued this statement now also highlights the popularity\r\nand urgency of this issue during the busy campaign season. Many media\r\nsources have pointed out that his bill in the Senate echoes the language\r\nof a bill [now being\r\nconsidered](http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/04/politics/bernie-sanders-legal-marijuana/)\r\nin the House of Representatives.\r\n\r\n\"It's a state and a federal issue,\" Sanders said. \"The federal issue is\r\nthat we should remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act.\r\nThat's a federal decision. The state decision is that we live in a\r\nfederal system of government where issues like tobacco and alcohol are\r\nsignificantly regulated by the states. And I think that is a province of\r\nthe states.\"\r\n\r\nIf medical marijuana is rescheduled from a Schedule I to a Schedule II\r\nsubstance, or removed from the CSA entirely, it and its derivatives\r\nwould be able to undergo much wider scientific testing. Current research\r\nconcentrates on the negative effects of marijuana, but rescheduling\r\nwould allow researchers to investigate more of its healing aspects.\r\nCurrent federal policy discourages research, especially risk aversion\r\namong institutional review boards. Similarly, many universities have\r\ndeclined medical marijuana research proposals due to their concern over\r\nreactions from donors, parents and college trustees.\r\n\r\nSanders is not alone among [presidential candidates in\r\nfavor](https://www.yahoo.com/politics/where-the-2016-presidential-candidates-stand-on-116920750826.html)\r\nof updating government policy on issues related to medical marijuana. In\r\nfact, Republican Rand Paul is a vocal critic of current policy and\r\nsupports wider medical marijuana research, access to banking services by\r\nmarijuana providers and the right for states to decide how they will\r\nproceed on the issue.\r\n\r\nIn an attack on one of his main rivals, Paul pointed out, \"If you've got\r\nMS in Florida, Jeb Bush voted to put you in jail if you go to a local\r\ndrugstore and get medical marijuana. Yet he was doing it for\r\nrecreational purposes, and it's a different standard for him because he\r\nwas from a very wealthy family going to a wealthy school, and he got off\r\nscot-free.\" During the Republican debate, Bush admitted to smoking\r\nmarijuana, simply tweeting afterward, \"Sorry Mom.\"\r\n\r\nFlorida Senator Marco Rubio also expressed his qualified support for\r\nchanging federal policy on medical marijuana. He told the Tampa Bay\r\nTimes, \"If there are medicinal uses of marijuana that don't have the\r\nelements that are mind-altering or create the high but do alleviate\r\nwhatever condition they are trying to alleviate, that is something I\r\nwould be open to.\"\r\n\r\nThe push for more medical marijuana research by these candidates was\r\nalso supported by major healthcare institutions. Over the summer, the\r\nAMA published a report stating that marijuana should be considered a\r\nform of medicine. Their [review of scientific\r\nstudies](http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2015/06/23/marijuana-is-medicine-journal-of-the-american-medical-association-concludes/)\r\nconcluded that the \"use of marijuana for chronic pain, neuropathic pain\r\nand spasticity due to multiple sclerosis is supported by high-quality\r\nevidence.\"\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, the influential Washington think tank The Brookings\r\nInstitution called on lawmakers to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I\r\nto Schedule II, facilitate medical research into its potential benefits\r\nand expand the Compassionate Investigative New Drug (IND) Program. Their\r\nreport pointed out that Marinol, a synthetic cannabinoid, was\r\nrescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule II in 1985 and moved down again\r\nto Schedule III in 1999.\r\n\r\nRescheduling alone is only one step. The Brookings Institution pointed\r\nout that the federal government's policies regarding medical marijuana\r\ninvolve many other agencies that deal with pharmaceuticals, healthcare,\r\npublic health, medical research, business taxation and federal\r\nenforcement. Today, there remains a hodgepodge of conflicting policies\r\nthat need to be clearly defined and standardized across the board.\r\n\r\nTheir report concludes, \"As the next president comes to office, he or\r\nshe will inherit a marijuana policy regime that is inconsistent and\r\noften contradictory. It is incumbent on President Obama's successor to\r\nintroduce some uniformity, discipline and sensibility to this policy\r\narea. Focusing on medical marijuana research would be a good place to\r\nbegin.\"\r\n\r\nThe public is ready for this change, well ahead of politicians. Research\r\nfrom [national Gallup\r\npolls](http://www.gallup.com/poll/186260/back-legal-marijuana.aspx) has\r\nshown that the majority of U.S. citizens have been in favor of marijuana\r\nlegalization for the past three years. This year, the favorable rating\r\nhas reached 58 percent. For those in the 18 to 34 age group, that\r\nfavorability rating has increased to 71 percent, which is the best\r\nindication of future U.S. policy.\r\n\r\n[Picture Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/80038275@N00/22112670773)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/14b42/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.jpg","srcSet":"/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/f836f/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.jpg 200w,\n/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/2244e/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.jpg 400w,\n/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/14b42/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.jpg 800w,\n/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/47498/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/58556/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/61e93/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.webp 200w,\n/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/1f5c5/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.webp 400w,\n/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/58556/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.webp 800w,\n/static/09371d1829de697a39a7bbefe7e5cbeb/99238/6f9843b790ed02bd3e210957a0104a19.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5686,"name":"Regulation","slug":"regulation","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}