Researchers say that the education of medical students should be based on the best clinical information available, rather than on commercial interests
A first-of-its kind study has analyzed the conflict-of-interest policies at the 17 medical schools across Canada. Macleans magazine reports that “overall, the researchers found policies were “permissive”—meaning most medical schools allowed interactions with sales reps, turned a blind eye to faculty’s relationships with speakers’ bureaus (so instructors who teach students may also have speaking contracts with drug companies), and failed to educate newbie doctors about conflicts of interest despite the minefield they’d be entering.” (more…)
A group called Sensible BC is working to decriminalize the simple possession of cannabis in British Columbia through a proposal called the Sensible Policing Act. The Sensible Policing Act would amend the Police Act, to redirect all police in the province from taking any action, including searches, seizures, citations or arrests, in cases of simple cannabis possession by adults. This would apply to all RCMP and municipal police in BC. 
Poverty and all its related concerns require so much mental energy that the poor have less remaining brainpower to devote to other areas of life, according to research based at Princeton University. As a result, people of limited means are more likely to make mistakes and bad decisions that may be amplified by — and perpetuate — their financial woes. 
The Centre for Research on Inner City Health analyzed health survey data representative of more than 75,000 Canadian women who recently had given birth. Researchers looked at the relationship between low income and the risk of experiencing three to five of these health conditions at the same time: adverse birth outcomes, postpartum depression, serious abuse, hospitalization during pregnancy and frequent stressful life events. 
The Conference Board of Canda is an independent, not-for-profit applied research organization that specializes in economic trends, as well as organizational performance and public policy issues. The group’s 
