Here’s how Brazil’s new presidential candidate could help save the planet Marina Silva has a chance at becoming the first environmentalist to lead a major world economy. Here is what that might look like.

Here’s how Brazil’s new presidential candidate could help save the planet Marina Silva has a chance at becoming the first environmentalist to lead a major world economy. Here is what that might look like.
When Brazilian presidential candidate Eduardo Campos’ plane went down near Sao Paulo this month, one of the most improbable consequences may have been to thrust the Amazon center stage in the race. Yet that’s what is happening now that Campos’ running mate, environmentalist Marina Silva, has taken his place on the ballot for the October vote. Silva, who learned to read and write only at age 16 after growing up in poverty on a remote jungle plantation, has a certain appeal with disgruntled voters. She even won praise from Greenpeace during her five…Read more …

This housewife may be Latin America’s first legally prescribed marijuana patient Chile’s health authorities are giving Cecilia Heyder special permission to use cannabis-derived drug Sativex to treat her cancer and lupus.

This housewife may be Latin America’s first legally prescribed marijuana patient Chile’s health authorities are giving Cecilia Heyder special permission to use cannabis-derived drug Sativex to treat her cancer and lupus.
“Out of 10, when I smoke the pain is four. When I don’t, it is 14,” says Cecilia Heyder, a Chilean housewife with breast cancer and lupus who is likely the first person to be legally prescribed medical marijuana in Latin America. “I feel like I am burning up inside. Everything hurts. I don’t have the strength to take a step, and I often have to use a wheelchair. My body rejects opiates so cannabis is the only thing that works for me.” On June 26, Chile’s Institute for Public Health granted Heyder…Read more …