PTSD patients sue state over marijuana decision
Five PTSD patients filed a suit Thursday in Denver District Court challenging a July decision by the Colorado Board of Health not to make PTSD the first condition added to Colorado’s medical pot eligibility list in 15 years.
The PTSD rejection came despite a recommendation from Colorado’s chief medical officer and a panel of physicians. They said that people with PTSD are commonly using pot anyway and that the designation would allow for better understanding about how people are using the drug.
Authorities have 21 days to respond to the complaint.
State unemployment rate drops to 4.3 percent
Colorado’s unemployment rate has dropped a tenth of a percentage point to 4.3 percent.
Labor officials said Friday the number of nonfarm jobs declined by 2,200 from June to July, but the total number of people in the workforce declined by 10,200, resulting in a drop in the jobless rate.
Private sector payroll jobs decreased by 3,300 and government jobs increased 1,100.
The largest job losses from June to July were in education and health services, professional and business services and construction. The biggest gains were in trade, transportation and utilities.
A year ago, Colorado’s jobless rate was 4.8 percent. Since then, total employment increased by 8,100 and unemployment decreased by 13,200.
The U.S. rate for June was unchanged at 5.3 percent.
Woman seeks $2.6 million after pregnancy suit
A former Montrose County employee who won a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit after she lost her job is seeking $2.6 million for the loss of potential future earnings.
Stephanie Barnett’s attorneys say she hasn’t been able to find work since her county position was eliminated.
County officials said that Barnett shouldn’t get more than the $306,000 a jury awarded her on July 17.
Barnett was internal services director for Montrose County when her department and position were eliminated in 2013. She suffered a miscarriage less than a week after losing her job.
Survey: Weak economic growth seen for rural areas
A survey suggests that the economic outlook for 10 Midwest and Plains states is weaker than in previous months.
The Rural Mainstreet Index sank to growth neutral 50.0 in August from 53.4 in July. The survey indexes range from 0 to 100. Any score below 50 suggests decline in the months ahead. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey.
The confidence index, which reflects expectations for the economy six months out, slumped to 42.0 from 46.6 last month.
Associated Press
