SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - It might take Californians a puff or two to get their heads around an apparent contradiction recently enshrined in state law.

The same marijuana smoke that doctors can recommend to ease cancer patients' suffering must soon come with a warning saying it causes the disease.

State environmental regulators last month voted to place marijuana smoke on its list of hundreds of substances known to cause cancer. The decision could lead to warning signs in medical marijuana dispensaries and labels on packaged pot within a year.

(NECN: Brian Burnell) - Health care advocates and anti-smoking groups are applauding the new law that gives the FDA authority over tobacco. They say its a big step that was 50 years in the making.

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards) - Americans 65 years and older are expected to double in the next 20 years. With people living longer, visiting nurses are being touted as a way to cut medical costs.

NECN's Latoyia Edwards explains why the program is having trouble expanding.

Home health care providers significantly reduce the number of times a patient has to be admitted into a hospital say 89 percent of doctors featured in a new survey.

(NECN) - This week, a state house panel heard testimony on some forty bills proposing limits or retesting for elderly drivers.

The hearing came on the heels of several recent accidents involving older people.

Dr. Elizabeth Dugan joins NECN to talk about the issue. Dr. Dugan is a researcher and associate professor of gerontology and medicine at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Dr. Dugan is also the author of "The Driving Dilemma: The Complete Resource guide for older drivers and their families".

(NECN) - Just as Americans across the country prepare for the biggest grilling weekend of the year, a nationwide beef recall has been made.

Colorado-based JBS Swift Beef Company has recalled 380,000 pounds of beef due to possible e-coli contamination.

Twenty-three people in nine states may have become ill from eating the beef. One person has been hospitalized in New Hampshire, and Maine is also among the states reporting possible related illnesses.

The meat was sold at Hannaford Supermarkets and Stop & Shops.

(NECN) - In 2009, we have access to more medical information than ever before. Still, many believe in "facts" about our bodies that are just plain wrong. How do you determine fact from fiction?

Dr. Rachel Vreeman, Asst. Professor of Pediatrics in Children's Health Services Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine, wrote the book on human body myths - it's called Don't Swallow Your Gum! -- Myths, Half-Truths and Outright Lies About Your Body

(NECN: Annandale, Va.) - President Barack Obama continued to take his healthcare reform push on the road, holding a town hall-style meeting in Virginia.

At one point, he took a comment from a cancer patient, who does not have insurance or a job to pay for her treatment.

The president hugged the woman and called her exhibit A in an unsustainable system.

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Massachusetts health officials announced that two more people in Massachusetts have died from the H1N1 (swine) flu, bringing the number of dealths from the illness to four.

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards, Boston, Mass.) - Diabetes, HIV and the common flu are exacerbated in the homeless population because of their lack of access to medical care.

NECN's Latoyia Edwards goes inside Jean Yawkey Place, once the old Boston City Morgue, that has been now transformed into a medical safe haven for the homeless.

Lee Wing, a homeless man for 15 years offers a token of appreciation to Doctor Jim O’Connell. Doctor Jim has followed Lee through his continuous seizures and many visits to Boston hospital emergency rooms.

(NECN: Annandale, VA) - President Barack Obama this afternoon paid a visit to a community college in suburban Virginia to again press his case for legislation overhauling the nation's health care system.

"I know there are some who say we can't tackle all of these problems...what I say is that America has waited long enough for action on these issues," said Obama of health care, education, energy and other important issues facing our nation.

"It's time for us to act," said Obama.

"It's not too soon to reform our health care system," said Obama.