Author: Matthew Ma
As the Trump administration reportedly considers rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, a move that would significantly liberalize its regulation, a counter-argument is emerging that such a change would be a dangerous misstep. While proponents frame it as a pragmatic reform, critics argue it overlooks critical scientific evidence and public health risks, prioritizing corporate profits over societal well-being. The argument against rescheduling hinges on several key points. Firstly, the most authoritative federal review of cannabis, the 2017 National Academies of Sciences Report, found substantial evidence supporting cannabis efficacy for only three conditions: chronic pain…
Singapore will now treat vaping as a drug-related issue, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announcing a significant escalation in enforcement and penalties to counter the rising use of e-cigarettes among youths. Speaking at the National Day Rally on August 17, 2025, Wong stated that current measures, which treat vaping similarly to tobacco offenses with a maximum fine of S$2,000, are "no longer sufficient." Under the new approach, the government will impose much stiffer penalties, including potential jail terms, particularly for individuals who sell vapes containing harmful substances. A central concern is the increasing prevalence of vapes laced with etomidate, a…
Michigan cannabis regulators have issued a recall for more than 26,000 vaporizer cartridges sold under the brand names RIPZ and Motor City Cannacarts, which are suspected of being tainted with a banned ingredient known as MCT oil. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced the voluntary recall by licensee Sky Cannabis on Tuesday, August 12th. The affected products were sold at 210 retail stores across Michigan since November 1, 2024. The recall notice states that several flavors of these vape cartridges may contain medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, a food additive sourced from coconut or palm kernel oil. MCT oil was…
In a legislative move that caught many in Texas's booming hemp industry by surprise, a new law is set to ban the sale of most disposable THC vapes and certain nicotine-based vaporizers across the state, effective September 1st. This development, enacted through Senate Bill 2024 (SB 2024) and signed by Governor Greg Abbott in June, has created significant confusion and concern among specialty retailers, many of whom have spent the past year focused on a separate, more publicized battle to prevent a total ban on all intoxicating hemp-derived consumables. While Governor Abbott ultimately vetoed the broader consumables ban and called…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has issued warning letters to three companies—Bailey’s Wellness, Holista, and House of Alchemy-Hamet & Love—for illegally selling unapproved cannabis-derived products for animals. The letters, issued April 7, state the companies violated the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by marketing various CBD-containing products, including oils, chews, and pellets, with unproven claims of health benefits across their websites and social media. The FDA has not approved these products as safe and effective for their intended use in animals. The agency expressed particular concern over unapproved CBD products sold for…
Cannabis is frequently discussed in conversations about mental health and sleep, with many users reporting significant benefits for calming anxiety and easing insomnia. However, scientific research has long struggled to explain a common paradox: why does cannabis provide dramatic relief for some people, while others experience little change or even feel worse? A new study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, offers a fresh and compelling perspective: the answer may lie in the intricate connection between cannabis, the brain, and the body's immune system. The research suggests that an individual's baseline level of inflammation may be a key factor…
Texas lawmakers have convened for a special legislative session, with the regulation of hemp-derived consumable products, including those containing THC, once again taking center stage. This follows Governor Greg Abbott's veto of Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), a controversial piece of legislation from the regular session that would have banned the sale of most hemp products containing any level of intoxicating THC. The veto was a significant moment, temporarily sparing a rapidly growing industry that supports thousands of retailers and farmers across the state. Now, a new bill with similar language, Senate Bill 5 (SB 5), has been introduced, reigniting…
Cases of young children under six accidentally poisoning themselves with oral nicotine pouches have skyrocketed by an alarming 763 percent over just three years, according to a new study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. These small, white pouches, often called "white snus" and sold under popular brand names like ZYN, are filled with flavored nicotine powder and are meant to be tucked between the gum and lip. The study highlights that the sweet, candy-like smells and brightly colored packaging of these products make them particularly attractive to toddlers, who may mistake them for food. Once ingested, these pouches can be extremely…
A sweeping new law, House Bill 445, will take effect in Alabama on July 1st, significantly altering the sale of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. The legislation bans all smokable hemp products and imposes strict limits on consumable THC items like gummies, which have been widely available in gas stations and vape shops. Under the new law, retailers selling any consumable hemp or THC products must obtain a license from the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. These licenses will only be granted to businesses that restrict entry to individuals aged 21 and over. State Rep. Chris Sells, a…
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed a bill that would have banned the sale and use of consumable products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), including popular gummies and vape pens. The late-night veto on Sunday keeps these hemp-derived products legal in the state, at least for now, spiking a top priority for some conservative lawmakers. The proposed law, Senate Bill 3, would have made it a misdemeanor to own, manufacture, or sell these THC-infused goods. Supporters argued the ban was necessary to close a legal loophole created by the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and inadvertently paved the way for…