Health Matters

Gov. DeSantis signs cannabis bill

The ban on smoking medical cannabis was repealed March 18. That means doctors and patients have easier access to administer medical cannabis and to determine for themselves the best mode for administration of the drug. This law, Senate Bill 186, allows patients to receive up to 2.5 ounces of whole flower cannabis every 35 days, if recommended by their doctor and the patient is over 18. If the patient has a terminal condition and gets a second opinion from a pediatrician, those under 18 may use it medically. Gov. Ron DeSantis also filed a joint motion to dismiss and vacate court cases raising constitutional issues about the ban.

Source: mmp.org

By the numbers

Number of people using yoga and meditation in the United States in 2017.

Ages 4-17

8.4% Yoga

5.4% Meditation

Ages 18+

14.3% Yoga

14.2% Meditation

Women

19.8% Yoga

16.3% Meditation

Men

8.6% Yoga

11.8% Meditation

You’re not alone

Be Free Lake has launched the first youth mental health awareness program in Lake County, according to its website. Students from Lake Minneola High School participated in You’re Not Alone, a mental-health training program. The young people took part in five intense training sessions. These students are the pioneers of You’re Not Alone and are officially called Student Ambassadors. The Women’s Giving Alliance provided financial support for this program.

LRMC advanced technology to detect breast cancer

Many women avoid mammograms because they can be uncomfortable, but that just changed at Leesburg Regional Medical Center. GE Healthcare collaborated with LRMC to bring 3-D mammography technology to patients with Senographe Pristina. This is a faster, quieter exam that is more comfortable and means less pain during compression. Gentle, rounded corners reduce discomfort under arms, and more comfortable armrests replace hand grips. With the radiographer’s supervision and guidance, the woman can have a more active role in determining the level of breast compression.

AdventHealth is racing

AdventHealth has an expanded partnership with Daytona International Speedway and the raceway now stages Daytona Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth. This partnership began in 2014 and has proved very successful. At that time, Florida Hospital was named a founding partner and the official health-care partner of Daytona International Speedway. Driver Jamie McMurray drove car No. 40, the AdventHealth Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, during this year’s Speedweeks.

24-hour ER for Wildwood

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the planned 24-hour emergency department in Wildwood, according to a recent newsletter from The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation. The 16-bed facility is across from Brownwood Paddock Square in The Villages and is intended to aid with the growing population in this area. A joint venture with Central Florida Health and the University of Florida Health Shands, it is expected to be complete in 2020.