Patch Poll: Should the Selling of the Morning-after Pill be Limited?

President Obama is a father, and perhaps in that role more so than as president, he has sided with the secretary of health and human services in blocking over-the-counter sales of an after-sex contraceptive pill to those 16 and younger.

The medication, marketed under the name Plan B One-Step, is available without a prescription to persons 17 and older who can prove their age­­—and that will remain the case. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last week issued a statement, which overruled scientists at the Food and Drug Administration who were preparing to allow the sale of the product, commonly known as a morning-after pill, without a prescription or age limit. Obama said he fully backs Sebelius’ decision.

Critics of his stance, as reported by The Associated Press, say that politics has trumped science—something Obama pledged not to do—and that Obama does not want another battle with conservatives before the upcoming presidential election.

Obama says limiting the availability of Plan B is “common sense.”

What do you think? Should teenagers under the age of 17 be permitted to buy the Plan B morning-after pill without a prescription? Yes or no. Tell us why.

Patch Poll: Should possession of small amounts of marijuana be legal?

The results of last week’s poll—albeit not scientific—bested the results of an October Gallup poll in which 50 percent of Americans—the largest portion ever recorded—say they now favor legalizing marijuana.

Patch readers responded: Yes, legal, 83 percent; No, not legal, 16 percent.

Mike Parent said: “Marijuana should be legalized and regulated just as we do alcohol. FACT, The current laws were conceived, born and nurtured from lies, greed and racism. Enforcing them is a continuation of those flawed policies. Marijuana isn't dangerous, marijuana laws are. They give total de facto distribution rights to criminal enterprises and funnel tens of billions of dollars to those same criminals.”

NancyC disagreed: “I really don't want to think about our school-age children, heading off to school with teachers legally high on marijuana. I also don't want to consider life with legalized marijuana in the health care industry, or manufacturing or you name it. How about riding on public transit systems with employees ‘stoned’ legally. I suppose there is a better way to prosecute for small amounts but I haven't figured out the details.”

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