Eschscholzia Californica (California poppy or gold poppy)

Overview

Eschscholzia californica (California poppy or gold poppy) is the state flower of California.  According the Department of Agriculture, the plant grows in the Spring, Summer, and Fall and reaches a height of about 1.2 feet at maturity. 

The seeds of the plant can produce sedative-like feelings, but the poppy falls into a different class of alkaloids than poppies used in strong narcotics. 

The USDA states that the Eschscholzia californica (California poppy or gold poppy) is an invasive species.  Currently, the plant is found in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.  The plant is also found in six different parts of Canada. 

Legal Issues Connected to Eschscholzia californica (California poppy or gold poppy)

In some states, it is illegal to cut down the state flower regardless if it falls on public or private land.  However, it is not illegal to cut down the state flower in California unless it falls on public lands or along state or county roads. 

The law concerning the removal of the state flower, and any other plants for that matter, is referenced in California Penal Code Section 384a.  The penal code is paraphrased below:

“Every person who within the State of California willfully or negligently cuts, destroys, mutilates, or removes any tree or shrub, or fern or herb or build or cactus or flower, or huckleberry or redwood greens, or portion. . .growing upon state or county highway rights-of-way [excluding highway employees]. . .[or] growing upon public land or upon land not his or her own. . .is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine or not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than six months, or by both fine and imprisonment.”

In order to cut down and/or remove plants and tree from private property, the owner of the property must provide written and signed consent to the person removing the plants.  The same applies on public lands.  In order to remove plants along public highways or on public land, the person or entity must receive written consent from the government body. 

Medicinal Uses of Eschscholzia californica (California poppy or gold poppy)

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, Native Americans have used the plant throughout history as a cosmetic, to kill lice, and even relieve mild pain and treat insomnia.  As of 2005, there were still pharmacological studies concerning the plant according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. 

The plant is still used as a recreational drug in some circles, and the federal government does not control the use of the plant.  As mentioned before, the plant does have relaxing qualities if ingested, but the effects are mild compared to pharmaceutical opiates. 

Sources:

1. https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=369a-402c

2. https://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=esca2

3. https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/flowerpower/poppy.html  

On November 7, 2012, the Department of Justice reported that two Pakistani nationals were indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for operating websites that shipped illegal pharmaceuticals into the United States from Pakistan and the United Kingdom.  The two defendants are Sheikh Waseem Ul Haq and Tahir Saeed.  

The indictment shows that Ul Haq and Saeed operated and owned Waseem Enterprises and Harry’s Enterprises in Pakistan.  The two men are believed to have shipped about $2 million of illegal pharmaceuticals around the world and about $780,000 to the United States.  

The two defendants made U.S. customers submit payments by Western Union to people in Karachi, Pakistan so they could conceal the funds.  They also told U.S. citizens that U.S. customs officials may intercept the packages as they enter the United States.  

The illegal drugs include the following:

•    alprazolam (labeled as Xanex)
•    diazepam (labeled as Valium)
•    lorazepam (labeled as Ativan)
•    clonazepam (labeled as Klonapin)
•    numerous types of anabolic steroids and other controlled substances

The defendants are charged with conspiring to import illegal pharmaceuticals to the United States, conspiring to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to using misbranded pharmaceuticals, importing and distributing controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  

The two defendants each face 20 years in prison for each count of the importing and exporting conspiracy, as well as 20 years in prison for the money laundering charge.  They face more time with other charges as well.  

Stuart F. Delery, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, stated: “This prosecution aims to curb the flow of dangerous drugs into the hands of United States citizens.  The drugs allegedly sold by the defendants were not approved for distribution in the United States, were not dispensed by U.S. licensed pharmacies, and were not prescribed by any physician.”

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
 

On November 2, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xarelto (rivaroxaban) to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolisms (PE), as well as to reduce the risk of DVT and PE after a surgery or treatment.  

DVT is a serious type of clot that occurs when blood thickens in a deep vein of the body.  These types of clots are most common in the lower leg and the thigh and are extremely dangerous if they break off.  They can travel to an artery in the lungs and can restrict blood flow—possibly leading to the PE which is deadly.  

The drug was already approved by the FDA and used after knee and hip replacement surgeries.  The drug was also used to reduce the risk of stroke in people with an irregular heartbeat called non-valvular atrial fibrillation.  

Richard Pazdur, M.D., states: “Xarelto is the first oral anti-clotting drug approved to treat and reduce the recurrence of blood clots since the approval of warfarin nearly 60 years ago.  Pazdur is the director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products at the Drug Evaluation and Research Center for the FDA.  

Other drugs that are approved to reduce the risk of blood clots include the following: Lovenox (enoxaparin), generic enoxaparin, Arixtra (fondaparinux), Fragmin (dalteparin), Coumadin (warfarin), and heparin.  

In clinical studies, only about 2.1 percent of patients taking Xarelto and 1.8 percent to 3 percent of patients taking enoxaparin and other combinations had a recurrent DVT or PE.  A specific study showed that 1.3 percent of patients taking Xarelto had a recurrent DVT or PE compared to 7.1 percent of patients taking a placebo.  

The main side effect of Xarelto is bleeding or uncontrolled bleeding.  These side effects are common with anti-clotting medicine.  

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

On November 7, 2012, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that Agustin Lozano was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leading a drug trafficking organization that ran drugs between Mexico and Chicago.  The investigation was led by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the DEA, the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Indianapolis Metro Drug Task Force.  

Lozano is a Mexican national, and he was sentenced on November 6, 2012 before U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence with the Southern District of Indiana.  Lozano pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering, and he’ll be turned over to the ICE after he serves his prison sentence to face deportation.  

Starting in July of 2010, undercover agents started working with Lozano.  An undercover agent bought three grams of cocaine for $150 initially.  It took eight months to coordinate the investigation and gather information between agencies, and 48 kilograms of cocaine were eventually confiscated on December 15, 2010.  The cocaine had an estimated street value of $1.5 million.  Authorities confiscated 4.4 pounds of methamphetamine as well.  The methamphetamine had an estimated street value of $80,000.  

Throughout the investigation, it was found that the criminal organization distributed about five pounds of methamphetamine and 10 kilos of cocaine throughout Indianapolis every month.  184 pounds of marijuana, $69,500 in cash, and 18 firearms were confiscated during the investigation as well.  

U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Hogsett stated, “This sentence is an example of proactive and cooperative anti-drug police work at its finest.  A drug bust of this significance occurs only once every couple of years.  Let the message be heard loud and clear to all those who seek mayhem by trafficking in illegal narcotics – you will be identified, you will be investigated and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

A Brief Overview of the Advair Diskus 250 50 price

Patients with respiratory conditions such as emphysema or asthma may be prescribed Advair Diskus. Although expensive, several pricing options must be considered to achieve a lower Advair 250 50 price.

Before prescribing this medication, a physician's office will contact your insurance company if you are uncertain as to whether your policy can cover part or all of the Advair Diskus 250 50 price. Depending on your policy, the total cost incurred by the Advair 250 50 price may be covered completely or up to a certain point. If you suffer from asthma, keep in mind that this drug is only indicated for short-term use. Therefore, you may be able to determine the final bill for a fixed course of treatment after learning what the Advair Diskus 250 50 price is from a trusted provider.

While patients who live in an area with multiple pharmacies may be quoted more than one Advair 250 50 price, these may not be low enough to fit their budget. Likewise, patients in rural areas  may wish to shop online to locate a pharmacy which lists its Advair Diskus 250 50 price. Buying medication online is not a process to be undertaken casually. Consult with your physician to see if they are aware of any reputable online pharmacy which may list a suitable Advair 250 50 price.

No matter how low the listed Advair Diskus 250 50 price, do not purchase medication from any online pharmacy which does not require a prescription to make a sale. Websites which offer Advair 250 50 price without a prescription are not operating in accordance with the law. Because they have already demonstrated a willingness to break the law, they cannot be trusted with your credit card information.

To help decrease the Advair Diskus 250 50 price, the manufacturer is currently offering a coupon which removes $10 from every monthly purchase. This coupon to lower the Advair 250 50 price must be printed out and presented along with a prescription at a pharmacy. Additionally, at this time the manufacturer is currently offering a free 30-day trial dose to patients with a prescription. Such offers of assistance in lowering the Advair Diskus 250 50 price are constantly changing and contain many restrictions. You should also ask your doctor if they have any coupons which can lower the Advair 250 50 price.

You should be confident that you are receiving what you paid for regardless of the Advair Diskus 250 50 price. If medication you purchase turns out to be incorrectly dosed or otherwise defective, a pharmacy may be liable for damages if adverse effects ensue. Maintain receipts of any purchase recording the Advair 250 50 price paid. These will be necessary for a lawyer to determine how much compensation you should seek if litigation is likely to result in success.

What is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera is the brand name of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate which is a drug that prevents pregnancy. It is manufactured and distributed by the Pfizer Corporation. It is administered via an injection and protects against pregnancy for three months. It is highly successful at preventing pregnancy and requires less drug interaction than once-daily birth control pills. For this reason, Depo-Provera’s status a as long acting reversible contraceptive is highly desirable for many that cannot maintain a contraceptive regimen such as with birth control pills.

Where can I get a Depo-Provera shot?

Most medical providers and some organizations such as Planned Parenthood have the shots available. It is the responsibility of the patients to regularly schedule the shots and to be aware of the potential risks of using the shot. In addition to the benefits, there are side effects that may prohibit some women from taking this shot.

How does Depo-Provera work?

The Depo-Provera shot works by releasing the hormone progestin into the body which works on the ovaries to prevent them from releasing egg and increasing vaginal mucous to inhibit pregnancy. This is effective for 99 out of 100 women that receive the shot. There are some side effects including irregular menstrual periods, depression, dizziness and acne and most importantly, loss of bone density.

What is the controversy around the use of the Depo-Provera shot?

As Depo-Provera has been found to decrease bone-density women with a history of or risk factors for osteoporosis should not receive this shot as it will exacerbate this condition. All women will need calcium and vitamin D while on this shot. Still, others have made the claim that the bone density loss that accompanies the shot is not articulated properly to women that receive the shot and that the bone density loss is irreversible.

What should I do if I have experienced bone density loss?

Bone density loss can lead to a number of injuries and an increase of potential injuries. If you feel that you were not provided adequate notice of the dangerous of bone loss, you may be able to hold the provider or manufacturing company liable for damages. As in all liability cases, the victim must prove that that injury or harm was on cause on the part of the provider and that the provider was aware of the potential harm but chose not to inform the plaintiff about the danger. Especially in cases with bone loss, the harm is potentially irreversible and imperils their ability to have children or live a healthy life.

Speak with an attorney if you feel you have not been adequately warned or you feel your medical provider is liable for failing to inform you of the potential risks of using this medication.