James I. Bowie is a sociologist at Northern Arizona University whose Emblemetric blog examines patterns and trends in logo design using quantitative analysis of data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Here at the Eye, Bowie shares a recent Emblemetric post about the brief history of uninspired marijuana logos.

Senators in Washington are trying to once again allow veterans easier access to medical marijuana programs, now that 24 of the 50 US states have legalized medical marijuana. 

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an amendment aimed at allowing doctors employed by the Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs to recommend medical marijuana to their patients without worrying about punishment from the federal authorities.

It’s a small step in the continuing battle between state and federal marijuana laws. The bill ‘The 2017 Military Construction Appropriations Bill’ – sponsored by Senators Steve Daines and Jeff Merkley will make sure that no federal funs can be used to prosecute or punish physicians who want to discuss using cannabis with their patients.

Many or, perhaps, most people utilize the benefits of marijuana for recreational purposes perhaps because it can be fun and perhaps because many governments classified the drug as having no medical benefit. Today, we’re starting to learn that’s not true. If you’re not sure how or why medical marijuana offers serious benefits, let me share my story with you.

An Important Medical Disclaimer

This year’s Earth Day event will include something never before seen in Reno – a medical marijuana informational section. Dubbed the “Cannabis Clinic,” it will include Nevada Botanical Science, the Nevada Medical Marijuana Association and area dispensaries.

Earth Day event starts April 23 at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Idlewild Park.

“We know people have a lot of questions so we’re coming together at this event to answer them,” Nevada Botanical Science COO Bob Summers said in a press release. “Anyone over the age of 18 can stop by, visit with medical professionals and let us know what’s on their mind.”

Information shared could include:

A group of more than 50 physicians, including a former surgeon generaland faculty members at some of the nation's leading medical schools, has formed the first national organization of doctors to call on states and the federal government to legalize and regulate the use of marijuana in the interest of public health.

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has won the TIME 100 reader poll, topping not only his rival Hillary Clinton but also a host of world leaders and cultural figures for who TIME readers think should appear on our annual list of the most influential people in the world.

After decades of intransigence on the issue, the Drug Enforcement Administration may finally recommend removing marijuana from the list of the country’s most dangerous drugs. That list was created as part of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970, which consolidated all federal drug laws into a single comprehensive measure and defined marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance, alongside heroin, LSD and other drugs that the government says have no medical value and the highest potential for abuse. That meant marijuana was saddled with the strictest possible restrictions and penalties.

Results from studies regarding drug use in the United States showed that marijuana use remains to be the primary drug choice among 22 million people aged 12 and above. Various studies, research and actual cases, showed divided results and beliefs regarding the medical implications of marijuana use, including the government, private entities and hospitals.

The federal government’s stance

In March 2015, an odd trio of U.S. Senators assembled to announce the introduction of marijuana reform legislation. Cory Booker, a liberal Democrat from New Jersey; Kirsten Gillibrand, a more moderate Democrat from New York; and Rand Paul, a libertarian leaning Republican from Kentucky introduced the CARERS Act. The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act seeks significant reforms in marijuana policy in the United States.