Author: Hilary Macht
Hilary Macht
Hilary Macht is a longtime health writer and former health editor whose work has appeared in dozens of media outlets including Everyday Health, The New York Times, Prevention, Civil Eats, and the Columbia Journalism Review. Her work is distributed by the National Center for Health Research and the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making.
Following the 2025 Executive Order to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, the United States has officially acknowledged the drug's therapeutic potential and lower abuse profile. However, this federal shift creates a dangerous legal paradox for pregnant people. Despite 74% of Americans living in states with legal access, 24 states still define in-utero substance exposure as child abuse, leading to Child Protective Services (CPS) interventions and criminal sanctions that disproportionately target women of color. The Legal Paradox: Federal Rescheduling vs. Fetal Personhood The transition to Schedule III signals medical legitimacy, yet pregnant individuals remain uniquely vulnerable to punitive policies. Even in jurisdictions where recreational use…
Kansas lawmakers have introduced two new bills aimed at decriminalizing marijuana, featuring a novel provision to return 40% of generated revenue directly to state residents. Sponsored by 19 House Democrats, including Representative Ford Carr, the legislation separates recreational decriminalization from medical legalization. Estimates suggest a regulated cannabis industry could generate between $750 million and $1 billion annually for Kansas. Unlike previous attempts, these bills mandate that a significant portion of this revenue be allocated to address critical public needs such as childcare, homelessness, and property taxes. "It’s the residents that need the help," Carr stated, emphasizing that these allocations would…
A landmark scientific analysis from Canada has upended decades of drug policy logic, confirming that alcohol and tobacco cause significantly greater harm to individuals and society than cannabis. Published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, the peer-reviewed study utilized a multi-criteria decision analysis to rank 16 psychoactive substances. The results are stark: Alcohol emerged as the most damaging substance overall, scoring nearly five times higher than cannabis on the harm scale. Core Finding: The "Harm Paradox" in Drug Policy The study's primary discovery is the massive discrepancy between legal status and actual harm. By evaluating substances across 16 distinct categories—ranging from mortality…
A concerning new study from McGill University challenges the safety of legal cannabis, revealing that the industry-standard sterilization method—gamma irradiation—does not fully eliminate toxic fungi. While this process reduces microbial loads, researchers found that viable spores and chemical residues remain on the flower. This poses a significant health risk, particularly for immunocompromised patients who consume medicinal cannabis believing it to be sterile. The "Zombie" Fungi Problem Cross-referencing clinical data from the Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry at McGill University indicates a critical failure in current safety protocols. Gamma irradiation works by bombarding cannabis with radiation to damage the DNA of…
The Channel Islands are initiating a historic shift in drug policy, with both Jersey and Guernsey independently advancing proposals to reform cannabis laws. Jersey’s States Assembly is scheduled to vote on February 3 regarding three distinct options for decriminalization, ranging from ending prosecutions for personal use to establishing a government-run sales trial. Simultaneously, Guernsey has launched a cross-committee investigation into full legalization, marking a decisive move away from strict prohibition. Jersey's Immediate Decision: The Three Paths Examining the legislative proposals submitted by Jersey’s Health Minister, Deputy Tom Binet, reveals a pragmatic approach to a public health issue. On February 3,…
A comprehensive new review published in the Cochrane Database has dismantled the popular belief that cannabis-based medicines effectively treat chronic neuropathic pain. After analyzing 21 clinical trials involving over 2,100 adults, researchers found no strong evidence that cannabis products outperform placebos. While public interest in THC and CBD treatments continues to surge, this major scientific review suggests that for nerve damage, the relief users feel may be psychologically driven rather than chemically induced. The Gap Between Hype and Clinical Reality The Cochrane review highlights a critical "Hidden Trend": the disconnect between patient hope and pharmaceutical reality. Neuropathic pain—caused by damaged…
Senate Bill 56 refers to new Ohio legislation set to take effect in March that would ban or heavily restrict hemp-based THC products, including delta-8 edibles and beverages. A coalition of retailers and advocates, "Ohioans for Cannabis Choice," sought to repeal this law through a voter referendum, but their initial petition has hit a roadblock. Attorney General Yost's Rejection Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost rejected the group's petition late Tuesday, stating that the summary language was misleading. He identified six specific areas of concern, noting omissions and misstatements that could confuse voters about the law's true scope. For instance, Yost pointed…
Quotas for controlled substances refer to the maximum legal limits set by the government for the cultivation, production, and trade of narcotics and psychotropics to meet national needs while preventing diversion. On December 29, 2025, Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 1772, establishing these critical limits for 2026, a significant step for its developing medical cannabis industry. 2026 Quotas for THC and Medical Cannabis For the first time, the Ukrainian government has defined specific quotas for substances based on medical cannabis, covering scientific use, manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and pharmacy compounding. The approved limits for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), including ∆9 THC, are…
Intoxicating hemp refers to products derived from the hemp plant that contain psychoactive cannabinoids, such as delta-8 THC, which have proliferated in a legal gray area since the 2018 Farm Bill. For years, the narrative has been consistent: these products are unregulated, undercut licensed cannabis, and too often reach minors. While these concerns are valid, they mask a fundamental question about governance. The "ID Paradox": Why Is Carding So Hard for Hemp? If a 65-year-old can be carded for buying a six-pack of beer, why is it deemed "impossible" to verify age for hemp-derived THC? The United States has a…
Prenatal cannabis exposure refers to the consumption of marijuana products containing THC or CBD during pregnancy, a practice that scientists are increasingly scrutinizing due to its potential to disrupt fetal development. As legalization spreads and potency increases, understanding these risks is critical for expectant mothers. Why Do Some Pregnant Women Use Cannabis? Despite the warnings, some pregnant women turn to cannabis products like THC gummies or joints. The reasons are often rooted in symptom management. According to John Howland, a professor of pharmacology at the University of Saskatchewan, cannabis is sometimes used as an alternative to prescribed medications to alleviate…