California ignores public health and quickly approves cannabis “emergency” regulations

On September 27, 2021, just a week after the 5 day public comment period closed, the California Department of Cannabis Control released its final emergency regulations. The minor changes the Department made in response to the comments all but ignored the extensive thoughtful public health comments Getting it Right from the Start submitted, with theContinue reading “California ignores public health and quickly approves cannabis “emergency” regulations”

“Big Vape” is well worth reading

As I said in my review of Lauren Etter’s history of Juul, The Devil’s Playbook, my definition of a good book on tobacco is that I learn things I didn’t already know from reading it. Even after reading Etter’s book, Jamie Ducharme’s Big Vape is a good book. While all the key major events appearContinue reading ““Big Vape” is well worth reading”

Menthol: Two wrongs won’t make a right

After refusing to authorize the sale of over a million e-cigarette flavors, the FDA still has not dealt with menthol (or tobacco flavored) e-cigarettes. As detailed in an earlier blog post, I remain concerned that FDA will authorize the sale of menthol e-cigarettes using the incorrect logic that menthol e-cigarettes need to remain available asContinue reading “Menthol: Two wrongs won’t make a right”

California rushes to further weaken cannabis regulation

Last week the California Department of Cannabis Control released 391 pages of draft emergency regulations to “combine the three [existing] sets of cannabis regulations into one. It consolidates, clarifies and makes consistent licensing and enforcement requirements for cannabis businesses.” The Department gave the public just 5 days to comment on this massive rewrite of theContinue reading “California rushes to further weaken cannabis regulation”

Would you believe that the Calif State Fair was giving an award for the tobacco with the highest nicotine?

Well, they’re not doing that, but the California State Fair is awarding a prize for the cannabis highest in THC, .e.g., for the cannabis most likely to produce psychosis and dependency.  The award will recognize flower in 5 categories with the highest concentrations of two cannabinoids CBD and THC and 5 terpenes. Marijuana Moment summedContinue reading “Would you believe that the Calif State Fair was giving an award for the tobacco with the highest nicotine?”

Even more evidence that youth who start with e-cigs triple the odds that they will later smoke cigarettes

As more studies are published on the link between youth e-cigarette use and subsequent cigarette smoking youth, people continue publish meta-analyses summing up the results. The latest such meta-analysis, recently published in PLOS One by Sze Lin Yoong and colleagues, “Association between electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems with initiation of tobaccoContinue reading “Even more evidence that youth who start with e-cigs triple the odds that they will later smoke cigarettes”

Calif legislature passed two bills prioritizing cannabis company profits; health groups urging veto

The California Legislature recently passed two bad bills designed to promote the cannabis industry at the expense of public health. One, AB 1302, would allow cannabis billboards along highways and the other, AB 45, greatly expands permission to add CBD and THC to foods and pet supplies. Under AB 45’s weak rules, hemp sodas orContinue reading “Calif legislature passed two bills prioritizing cannabis company profits; health groups urging veto”

No quitting benefit for e-cigs over FDA-approved therapies … and lots of dangerous dual use

The FDA Center for Tobacco Products concern about balancing potential benefits of e-cigs with demonstrated risks to youth presumes that adults using e-cigarettes will switch completely to e-cigs and that e-cigs are substantially less risky than cigarettes. Bekir Kaplan and colleagues’ new paper Effectiveness of ENDS, NRT and medication for smoking cessation among cigarette-only users:Continue reading “No quitting benefit for e-cigs over FDA-approved therapies … and lots of dangerous dual use”

“Move Fast and Vape Things” is worth watching

The New York Times just released its new one hour documentary on the origins of Juul, Move Fast and Vape Things. (You can watch a trailer and some clips from the film and link to Hulu, where the full film is available, here.) The film includes interviews with an addicted teen, the two men whoContinue reading ““Move Fast and Vape Things” is worth watching”

FDA denied over 1 million e-cig flavored products but not a single one with menthol

Despite the fact that menthol and mint are wildly popular with kids (and contribute to keeping adults addicted), the FDA Center for Tobacco Products has yet to prohibit the sale of a single menthol e-cigarette flavor. The CTP News sent out today reported: FDA Denies Marketing Applications for Over 1 Million Flavored E-Cigarette ProductsIn August,Continue reading “FDA denied over 1 million e-cig flavored products but not a single one with menthol”