Bans on E-Cigarette Flavors Can't Be Justified by the 'Wildfire Spread' of Adolescent Vaping, Which Seems to Be Declining
Bans like San Francisco's hurt smokers by making the potentially lifesaving switch to vaping less attractive.
Health
Nan Goldin's Misleading OxyContin Story Feeds the Myth of 'Highly Addictive' Pain Pills
Like most people who become addicted to prescription opioids, the famous photographer had a history of substance abuse.
Thoughts on the Trump Administration's Decision Not to Defend Obamacare [updated with acknowledgement that I misinterpreted one of the administration's arguments]
They have every right to refuse to do so, much as Obama had a right to refuse to defend the Defense of Marriage Act. But some of the arguments Trump is making are extremely dubious.
Expect Fully Legal Weed Within 5 Years, Says Former Top Pharma Lobbyist and Congressman Billy Tauzin
He has been a Democrat, a Republican, a lobbyist, and a cancer survivor. Now he wants to end the war on weed.
The Trump Administration Won't Defend Obamacare's Individual Mandate In Court
Instead, the executive branch will argue that the insurance requirement and the health law's preexisting conditions rules should be struck down.
This Is Your Hand on Opioids: Trump's 'Very Bad Commercials' Rely on Dishonest and Pernicious Scare Tactics
The anti-drug ads exaggerate the risk of addiction and falsely portray pain treatment as a highway to hell.
Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes, and the Cult of Silicon Valley
In Bad Blood, Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou explains why Silicon Valley's mystique makes suckers out of billionaires.
Social Security Will Be Insolvent In 16 Years. Maybe Congress Should Do Something About That.
Medicare will run dry even sooner. Do you trust anyone in Washington to solve this problem?
Flirting With Presidential Run, Former Starbucks CEO Says America Needs to Address National Debt
"There's no for-profit business in the world that could sustain itself or survive with $20 trillion in debt," says Howard Schultz. "It's just not responsible."
A Libertarian on the Bench
Arizona jurist Clint Bolick targets judicial pacifism in medical marijuana case.
The Government's Cure for the Opioid Epidemic May Be Worse Than the Disease
When the cure for the "epidemic" proves worse than the disease, it's time to try something new.
Georgia Kidnapped This Boy Because His Parents Used Marijuana to Stop His Seizures
Although the state recognizes cannabis as a treatment for epilepsy, it says letting your son use it is "reckless conduct."
AMA Castigated for Rightly Opposing a National 3-Day Limit on Opioid Prescriptions
The doctors' lobby is right that the arbitrary rule is medically unsound and misconstrues the CDC's guidelines.
NCAA Bans Football Player Because He Uses CBD Oil to Control Seizures
As medical and recreational marijuana become more widely accepted and legalized, it's not only government agencies that have to deescalate the drug war.
New Cancer Report Tries To Scare You Out of Eating Sausage and Bacon
Nevertheless, U.S. cancer rates are stable for women and declining for men.
Don't Worry About That Diet Soda Habit: Artificial Sweeteners Are Harmless, Say Scientists
After years of being blamed for weight gain and metabolic issues, zero-calorie sweeteners and the drinks they flavor are being absolved.
A 'Right to Try' Bill Is Finally Heading to Trump's Desk
It's still not clear whether pharmaceutical companies will work with patients outside the FDA's supervision.
Did Leaded Gasoline Contribute to the U.S. Baby Bust?
Maybe, but it's more likely that Americans chose to have fewer kids.
Congress Approves 'Right to Try' Bill for Critically Ill
President expected to sign legislation allowing earlier access to experimental medication.
Hooray! U.S. Fertility Rate Falls to 40-Year Low
Exercising reproductive freedom is a good thing.
Nevada Records Show 'Opioid-Related' Deaths Usually Involve Illicit Drugs or Mixtures
Deaths attributed solely to pain pills are rare in Clark County.
Judge's Ruling Threatens California's Assisted Suicide Law
Lawmakers approved bill during a special session. Now that process has been challenged.
Is Trump Just Doing the Crazy Things Republicans Always Promised?: Podcast
From ripping families apart to nominating a torture-enabler as CIA director, the administration is calling the GOP's bluff, Reason editors argue.
Opioid Death Rates Are Not Correlated With Prescription Rates Across States
More reason to doubt that pain pill restrictions will save lives
Texas Health Department Considers Cracking Down on CBD
The Lone Star state's drug laws are about to get even more restrictive.
When Cancer Was Conquerable
To win the war on cancer, we must recapture the bold spirit of the early days of discovery.
President Trump: Competition Is the Solution to High Drug Prices
Change drug prices by changing the market.
Walmart's 7-Day Opioid Prescription Limit Is Medically Unsound and Could Backfire
Like state legislators, the chain is taking its cue from the CDC's guidelines.
FDA Chief Distorts Data While Cheerleading for Mandatory Calorie Counts
Scott Gottlieb claims requiring the numbers on menus "does reduce overall caloric intake," which the research does not show.
Over-Regulation Is Making Us More Vulnerable to Disease
Regulatory precaution, not rising temperatures, is the main driver for the increase in vector-borne disease.
New York's Mayor Backs Supervised Injection Facilities to Reduce Opioid Deaths
Bill de Blasio's plan includes four privately funded and operated "overdose prevention centers" in three boroughs.
Start-Ups Make Cheap Alternative to Braces, Dental Trade Groups Cry for Regulation
"This is a disruptive innovation, which is why you're seeing protectionist policies being put into action."
Department of Veterans Affairs
The V.A.'s Biggest Problem Isn't Who's In Charge—It's Centralized Government Control
With Trump's nominee Ronny Jackson out, here's how to fix veterans health care.
Jeff Sessions' Latest Lame Excuse for Blocking Medical Marijuana Research
The attorney general claims that approving new producers of cannabis might violate anti-drug treaties.
Criticism of Ronny Jackson Highlights Anxiety About Performance-Enhancing Drugs
The former V.A. nominee was charged with distributing sleeping pills and stimulants that helped people do their jobs.
FDA Investigation of Adolescent Juuling Could Endanger Adult Smokers
What if the e-cigarette features that appeal to teenagers also appeal to grownups?
The Coming Century of Environmental Renewal
A new article in BioScience vindicates The End of Doom.
This Could Be the First Cannabis-Derived Drug to Win FDA Approval
Epidiolex shows great promise in relieving two severe forms of epilepsy.
Don't Overregulate CRISPR Genome Editing
"Governments should follow the principle of regulatory parsimony," two bioethicists argue.
Starbucks Will Host Anti-Racist Training Session at 8,000 Stores
But don't expect it to fix whatever happened in Philadelphia last week.
Scott Gottlieb Is Not a Free Market Firebrand
The FDA chief's mixed, moderate record has surprised both his champions and his critics.
Former House Speaker John Boehner Once Opposed Marijuana Legalization. Now He's a Pot Lobbyist.
He's doing it for the vets. And probably for the potential new customer base.
Before Busybodies Opposed Home Genome Testing, They Fought Against Home Pregnancy Tests
History shows we have everything to gain from knowing more about our bodies.
