As in past years, the symposium is archived and available to watch for free here. This is the program: Keynote Panel: 20 Years of the Industry Documents: Past, Present and Future: Presentations by Faculty and Postdoctoral Scholars: Closing Remarks, Chris Shaffer, MS, UCSF Assistant Vice Chancellor and University Librarian The last several years’ symposia areContinue reading “UCSF Tobacco Center Billion Lives Symposium available for online viewing”
Category Archives: marijuana
Did we just have a secondhand smoke moment for fentanyl?
From time to time public health professionals, physicians, and policy makers have asked me what lessons from tobacco control apply to the drug problem. I have had a hard time answering this question because the most important change in the tobacco debate — the emergence of the health effects of secondhand smoke and concerns byContinue reading “Did we just have a secondhand smoke moment for fentanyl?”
Using e-cigs, cigs, heated tobacco products, or marijuana once a day increases risk of heart arrythmias and causes remodeling of the heart
Huiliang Qiu, Matt Springer, and colleagues’ paper “Increased vulnerability to atrial and ventricular arrhythmias caused by different types of inhaled tobacco or marijuana products” makes two important points: (1) even very short daily exposures to tobacco and marijuana products have serious cumulative effects on the heart, and (2) nicotine and THC, the psychoactive components ofContinue reading “Using e-cigs, cigs, heated tobacco products, or marijuana once a day increases risk of heart arrythmias and causes remodeling of the heart“
Removing cannabis from Schedule I will make it possible to do long-needed research
On October 6, 2022, President Joe Biden announced pardons for people convicted to marijuana use and possession under federal law. He also announced that he was directing his administration to review marijuana’s listing as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which is defined as one with a high potential for abuse, noContinue reading “Removing cannabis from Schedule I will make it possible to do long-needed research”
Cannabis companies engage in “corporate social responsibility” activities similar to what tobacco companies do
The tobacco companies (and some other companies) use “corporate social responsibility” programs in which the companies stress some socially desirable behavior — such as affirmative action in hiring or supporting cultural institutions — to distract attention from the fact that they engage in predatory marketing of a dangerous product. As the legal cannabis industry emerges,Continue reading “Cannabis companies engage in “corporate social responsibility” activities similar to what tobacco companies do”
Excellent legal analysis of protecting bystanders from cannabis use in multiunit housing
Dan Orenstein recently published an excellent review and analysis of extending smokefree multiunit housing laws to include cannabis, “Multiunit Housing and Cannabis: Good Laws Make Good Neighbors.” In particular, he considers the impact of the fact that cannabis remains illegal under federal law as well as prohibited from public use even in states that haveContinue reading “Excellent legal analysis of protecting bystanders from cannabis use in multiunit housing”
Marijuana bong produces huge amounts of secondhand smoke
Anyone who has been around people smoking marijuana with a bong know that it produces a lot of secondhand smoke. Now Patton Khuu Nguyen and Kathy Hammond have shown that the amount of secondhand smoke is huge. Their paper, “Fine Particulate Matter Exposure From Secondhand Cannabis Bong Smoking” published in JAMA Network Open reports theContinue reading “Marijuana bong produces huge amounts of secondhand smoke”
Louisiana health advocates used local ordinances to win smokefree casinos and bars despite industry opposition
Tanner Wakefield and I just published Securing Smokefree Laws Covering Casinos and Bars in Louisiana via Messaging, Continuous Campaigning and Health Coalitions that describes innovative campaigns that Louisiana tobacco control advocates, in collaboration with national groups developed to successfully secure smokefree casinos in New Orleans and other cities there despite fierce industry opposition. In particular,Continue reading “Louisiana health advocates used local ordinances to win smokefree casinos and bars despite industry opposition”
SB1097 to improve warning labels on marijuana products in California faces hearing
California Senator and pediatrician Richard Pan has introduced SB 1097, that will require stronger and clearer health warnings on cannabis products and cannabis advertising inspired by front of pack tobacco graphic warnings. This legislation is sponsored by the Getting it Right from the Start Project at the California Public Health Institute and by Youth Forward,Continue reading “SB1097 to improve warning labels on marijuana products in California faces hearing”
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”
Stanton Glantz blog 