Derek Maltz, a 28-year veteran of the DEA and former head of its Special Operations Division, has been appointed as the new acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration under Donald Trump’s administration. Known for his aggressive stance against drug cartels, Maltz plans to target the spread of fentanyl through close collaboration with federal and...
Category: Policy Updates
The Rise in Traffic Fatalities Linked to Legal Cannabis
Concerns are emerging over the potential downsides of marijuana legalization in states like New York, where recreational use became legal in 2021. Reports suggest legalization may unintentionally increase the availability of synthetic cannabinoids, such as K2, linked to high-profile incidents of public disorder. Additionally, marijuana’s association with mental health challenges, including the early onset of...
UK Government Seeks Updated Harms Assessment of Ketamine Amid Rising Misuse
The UK government has commissioned an updated harms assessment of ketamine, as concerns grow over its rising misuse, particularly among young people. A stark 231% increase in ketamine use among 16 to 24-year-olds since 2013 has prompted action. The drug, currently classified as Class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, is under review,...
FDA Proposes Drastic Limits on Nicotine in Cigarettes and Smoking Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unveiled a transformative proposal to curtail nicotine levels in cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products. This bold initiative, if finalised, represents a monumental step forward in reducing tobacco dependency and addressing the overwhelming health burdens linked to smoking. By limiting nicotine content to nonaddictive levels, the FDA...
Stricter Drug Controls Introduced in the UK to Combat Emerging Drug Threats
The UK Government has announced tighter restrictions on a range of synthetic drugs with the enforcement of The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 and accompanying regulations set to take place on 15 January 2025. These sweeping amendments reflect the government’s response to an escalating public health and safety crisis posed...
Medicinal Cannabis Mayhem: The Cowboy Culture of Regressive Vote for Medicine Frameworks
Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, but at what cost to public health and medical standards? As state governments rush to establish new cannabis facilities and prescription rates soar to record heights, medical experts are sounding increasingly urgent alarms about a system veering dangerously off course. What began as a carefully controlled therapeutic...
Analysis of Cannabis Poisonings in Australia (2014-2024): Impact of Medicinal Cannabis Legalisation
Cannabis poisonings have emerged as an urgent public health concern in Australia, challenging widespread assumptions about the drug’s safety profile. A decade ago, Australia embarked on a significant policy shift by legalising cannabidiol (CBD) in June 2015, followed by cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in November 2016. These decisions placed Australia among a growing number of...
Home Office to Review Ketamine’s Drug Classification Amid Rising Misuse
The UK government is set to review the legal classification of ketamine in response to alarming increases in its misuse and associated health risks. Currently a Class B substance, ketamine could be reclassified as Class A—a status reserved for the most hazardous drugs—following expert advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)....
US Nationwide Recall of Fentanyl Patches Amid Safety Concerns
A nationwide recall of fentanyl transdermal patches has been issued by Alvogen Inc., raising serious safety warnings. The recall, affecting one lot of 25 mcg/h patches with lot number 108319, comes after concerns that improperly manufactured patches could be “multi-stacked” within a single pouch. Such defects pose life-threatening risks, especially for vulnerable groups like first-time...
Alcohol and Decision-Making in UK Parliament: A Cause for Concern
A recent survey commissioned by Alcohol Change UK has shed light on concerning attitudes towards alcohol among Members of Parliament. The findings reveal deep cultural issues around alcohol use in professional settings, particularly in Parliament, where decisions of national importance are made. The survey highlights not just the personal habits of MPs but also broader...