SUMMARY: The Biden administration has proposed a new rule requiring Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss medications for obesity treatment, significantly expanding access to drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic. This change aims to lower out-of-pocket costs, which currently exceed $1,000 per month. The coverage expansion could benefit 3.4 million Medicare and 4 million Medicaid patients, addressing health disparities, as most prescriptions currently go to white individuals. Obesity, affecting over 40% of Americans, increases the risk of serious health issues, making this initiative crucial for public health and equity in treatment access.

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SUMMARY: Mississippi’s medical marijuana businesses are barred from advertising due to federal law prohibiting marijuana, according to a recent ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Clarence Cocroft II, owner of Tru Source Medical Cannabis, argued for First Amendment protections but the court upheld state restrictions on advertising, citing the federal Controlled Substances Act. Mississippi allows businesses to provide information through websites and social media but not via mass advertising platforms. Cocroft plans to continue challenging the ban, stating it hampers customer outreach and education about the state’s medical marijuana program. The Institute for Justice is considering further legal actions.

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SUMMARY: Special counsel Jack Smith has requested to drop all four felony charges against President-elect Donald Trump related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump was indicted in August 2023 for conspiracy and obstruction related to the January 6 Capitol attack. The dismissal highlights significant historical parallels to Richard Nixon’s resignation and indicates Trump may begin his second term without these legal challenges. Despite the prosecution’s strength, the Justice Department adheres to a policy against charging a sitting president, and Trump’s spokesman called the dismissal a victory against perceived political weaponization of justice.

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