Author: Matthew Ma
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…
New research from the University of California, Davis, suggests that vaping could be potentially more dangerous than smoking cigarettes due to the inhalation of toxic metals like lead, antimony, and nickel. The study, published in the journal ACS Central Science, highlights a "hidden risk" in popular electronic cigarettes, with disposable versions found to be worse than refillable ones in some cases. Hazardous Metals Found in Vape Aerosol The UC Davis research team found that some vape brands emitted surprisingly high concentrations of hazardous elements in their vapor. "Our study highlights the hidden risk of these new and popular disposable electronic cigarettes…
The European Union is considering one of its most stringent tobacco control measures to date, with a new draft proposal aiming for tax increases of up to 139% on cigarettes and other tobacco products. This plan, being prepared in Brussels, extends beyond traditional cigarettes to include roll-your-own tobacco, e-cigarette liquids (both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free), and other alternative tobacco products. Under the proposal, the minimum excise duty for 1,000 cigarettes could rise by nearly 139% (potentially up to €215). The tax rate for roll-your-own tobacco could see an even steeper increase of up to 258%, while alternative tobacco products might face…
New Law Prohibiting Sale of All Single-Use E-Cigarettes Effective June 1, 2025 The United Kingdom has enacted a nationwide ban on the sale of all single-use disposable vapes, a significant measure that came into effect on June 1, 2025. This comprehensive prohibition applies to sales in both physical shops and online, and includes disposable vapes whether they contain nicotine or are nicotine-free. The primary drivers behind this decisive action are the escalating rates of youth vaping and the substantial environmental pollution caused by these throwaway devices. Government officials and health experts have voiced increasing alarm over the appeal of disposable…
Increasing taxes to make cigarettes more expensive could significantly reduce infant mortality, especially among poorer populations, according to a study in The Lancet. Researchers analyzed data from 94 low- and middle-income countries, revealing that higher tobacco taxation has the potential to substantially lower deaths in children under five. The study highlighted that "only specific taxes (by quantity or weight) were associated with reducing socioeconomic inequalities in infant mortality," suggesting tax structures must be strategically designed. Small tax increases (around 10%) were found insufficient to produce significant effects across different income levels, underscoring the need for more substantial tax hikes to achieve…