Over the course of the past two weeks, many liquor stores across the United States have been pulling all Russian alcohol from the shelves. Initially, governors of New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah ordered all governmentally owned liquor establishments to withdraw Russian brands which prompted many other states (and some independently owned stores) to follow suit.

The removal comes as a response to Russia’s recent invasion and attack on Ukraine; a symbolic act of solidarity for the Ukrainian people if nothing else. Brands like Stoli and Smirnoff have disappeared from the floors of stores, assumed to be of Russian origin and production. Though Smirnoff’s roots can be traced back to Russia in the 19^th century, it has long since been owned by the UK and produced by various distilleries, including some in the States. Stoli is actually Latvia-owned and while the vodka is Russian-styled, the company has actively voiced their support of Ukraine; their website adorned with pop up of the international symbol of peace, the dove, in Ukraine’s national colors. Underneath is a message that reads, “Stoli Group stands for peace in Europe and in solidarity with the Ukrainian people” followed by the two hashtags, “#LiberateUkraine” and “#StandWithUkraine.”

While many vodka brands either originate in Russia or are fashioned after or influenced by the nation, there are only a few spirits actually owned and/or produced by Russian companies. Of the $1.4 billion worth of total vodka imports throughout the United States in 2021, Russian brands accounted for $18.5 million; only 1.2% of the vodka sold in this country is from Russia. The most common Russian-owned vodkas are Russian Standard (also sold as Green Mark), Beluga Noble Russian Vodka, and Zyr Russian Vodka, but as they make up very little of the United States’ vodka sales, the boycott and discontinuation of such products will likely not have much of an impact on the Russian economy.

Substances Aren’t A Solution

As if we weren’t living in a world rife with devastation and hardship already, war and destruction occur without reprieve. It can feel all too easy to fall victim to the allure of numbness that alcohol and other substances so often provide. Now more than ever it is important to resist, to remain steadfast and strong and continue to trudge ahead. If you or someone who love is struggling with substance abuse and/or addiction, there are resources to help you.

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Formerly one of a small handful of holdout states, Nevada has now joined 42 other states, 5 territories, and the District of Columbia in backing a $26 billion settlement that would resolve over 3,000 lawsuits pointed at Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and 3 corporate drug distributors over their culpability in the Opioid epidemic.

The deadline to join the settlement, once January 2, was extended to January 26 after negotiations between lawyers for plaintiffs on one hand and the 3 drug distributors involved on the other (McKesson Corp, AmerisourceBergen Corp, and Cardinal Health Inc). According to Reuters, “lawyers who negotiated the deal…called the three-week extension a positive development that would allow some holdout states and their local governments to sign on.”

Reporting from the same source indicates that more states and/or municipalities may soon sign on as well; a significant portion of the settlement funds, $10.7 billion, are contingent upon local governments backing the settlement and giving up any lawsuits they may have pending against the companies named in the suit — as well as disallowing any more suits of that kind in the future.

Aaron Ford, Nevada Attorney General, said that, “There is no question that the opioid epidemic has devastated Nevada and money is needed now to address comprehensive statewide remediation.” AG Ford also expressed his belief that Nevada localities would sign on before the deadline, and he said that the state could receive over $285 million.

As for J&J and the 3 distributors, none of the entities have admitted wrongdoing; they may soon pay a hefty sum to the victims and families and neighbors of victims of Opioids, however — what’s more, there’s now a major lawsuit that concerns J&J and allegations of funding terror. It was once dismissed, but now Americans may get to see the outcome; the case itself could be seen as part of a larger pattern of immoral and destructive behavior in the name of profit on the part of J&J.

Old J&J Lawsuit Comes Back To Life

On January 4, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit revived a lawsuit against J&J (and other corporate entities, like AstraZeneca Plc and Pfizer Inc). The plaintiffs of the suit are relatives of people slain by terror attacks in Iraq; the case has a storied history, and was reported on by The New York Times in 2017.

As The Times reported at that time, the lawsuit “contends that major American corporations doing business with the Iraqi government during the Iraq War also provided it with free drugs and medical devices that became an important source of funding for a Shiite militia that targeted United States troops.”

The 5 companies accused (the as-yet-unnamed ones being General Electric and Roche Holding A.G.) released a statement saying that “further proceedings will show the companies are not responsible in any way.”

There is plenty of evidence to corroborate the accusations, however. According to The Washington Post’s reporting on the subject, “In 2011, Johnson & Johnson entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to pay $70 million to resolve allegations of unlawful payments in a number of countries, including Iraq.”

Essentially, companies like J&J seem to have provided the Iraqi Ministry of Health — which at the time was run by extremists affiliated with Hezbollah — with bribes that included drugs in exchange for the ability to do business in the region. Extremists would then take these drugs themselves or sell them for weapons; these weapons and extremists ended up killing hundreds of Americans.

If J&J and other companies are found to have violated the USA’s Anti-Terrorism Act, consequences could be severe.

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Justice Served To Teva Pharmaceutical

While those consequences are still hypothetical as of writing, one drugmaker has been made to pay a price for misbehavior: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

According to Reuters, “New York…had accused the Israel-based drugmaker of engaging in misleading marketing practices that fueled opioid addiction in the state, including by pushing drugs for off-label use.” A jury found that Teva was, indeed, responsible.

The case was one of the 3,000+ that J&J and other entities are hoping to resolve through their multibillion-dollar settlement. Teva, which chose not to be a part of the settlement, will now seek a mistrial.

Based on the evidence presented at the trial, Teva was somewhat gleeful about misrepresenting the danger posed by Opioids. A corporate sales video from 2006 spoofed popular movies, including “Austin Powers” and “A Few Good Men.” In one scene from the sales video, according to Reuters, an “employee tells a lawyer played by Tom Cruise that he ‘can’t handle the truth’ about what sales representatives need to do to meet quotas.”

Damages owed by Teva have not yet been decided, but the company’s stock took a sharp fall after the verdict was revealed. The stock has recovered somewhat since then; it’s been trending consistently and significantly downward over the course of the last 12 months, however.

Whether or not Teva will get their mistrial is not yet known; the fate of the massive Opioid settlement money seems slightly more clear.

According to a January 5 report from The New Republic, money is certainly coming to localities but may be misappropriated once it arrives; in The Republic’s words, “Even in a historic moment of reckoning for the companies that manufactured the opioid crisis, how much harm can be undone will be determined by a patchwork of state regulations and by legislative bodies without the greatest track record when it comes to funneling corporate money into the necessary hands.”

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Months ago, Florida legislators approved a congressional package that dramatically expanded gambling in the state. The agreement will generate Florida $6 billion through 2030 and $2.5 billion over the next 5 years. The deal was met with a plethora of criticism and support. But as of recently, the news was forgotten by most until last week. On July 8th, journalists learned about new negotiations between the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe. The next day the President of the Florida Senate, Wilton Simpson, announced a new 30-year gaming compact memorandum to the 74-page contract.  

The Biggest Takeaway

Before this new deal, betting on professional sports in Florida was illegal. But as of Friday, it will be legal to bet on professional sports in casinos if the Compact is ratified. Another major takeaway is the addition of a provision barring the Seminole Tribe from interfering with gambling licenses to businesses outside of the tribe. As of now, every casino in Florida is owned by a Native American tribe. The affidavit allows the state to issue a gambling license to any non-Seminole facility more than 15 miles “in a straight line” from the tribe’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Florida may soon see a dramatic increase in casinos. 

The Seminole Tribe’s New Deal

According to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the Seminole Tribe’s new deal hopes to expand economic opportunity, tourism, and recreation in Florida. The memorandum is an attempt by the Florida legislature to modernize Florida’s gaming industry and address a decade worth of problems. 

Some of the highlights of the new Compact with the Seminole Tribe include:

• A new 30-year term
• Craps and Roulette
• Additional facilities on the Tribe’s Hollywood reservation
• Enhanced revenue sharing brackets 
• Statewide online sports betting in partnership with the pari-mutuels

The Seminole Tribe’s new deal grants them the exclusive right to offer craps and roulette tables in their casinos for the price of $500 million a year. It also allows the tribes to build additional facilities on their reservation. Both Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and Marcellus W. Osceola Jr., Chairman of the Seminole Tribal Council, believe the deal will benefit all Floridians and Seminoles alike. Though the new gambling agreement will bring new revenue, is it reasonable to make gambling so easily accessible?

Will This Legislation Lead To More Gambling Disorders?

Gambling disorders are a severe problem in the United States. According to research, the addiction affects 1 to 3% of adults. A person addicted to gambling has compulsive or pathological urges to bet. They are unable to resist their impulses. Like any other addiction, over time, it destroys their finances, relationships, and life. For the past few decades, the right to gamble has only been legal in a few states, national lotteries, and specific venues. The lack of availability has helped keep the disorder at bay. But with the passing of this new legislation, access is increasing dramatically.

Loopholes, Gambling, And Speculated Corruption 

Besides creating more casinos, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber points out that the new Seminole Tribe deal is taking advantage of a loophole in federal law. He believes the agreement is, “hijacked by non-tribal casino interests.” Mayor Dan Gelber argues that the legislation can potentially open up betting anywhere in the state. “Thus, not only is the Florida Compact actually promoting massive expansions of wagering off of tribal lands, but it also leaves any regulation or oversight for those wagering on non-Indian land to tribal oversight,” said Gelber.

Critics like Mayor Gelber believe the new deal violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Wire Act, and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Even Florida State Representative Michael Grieco is quoted saying, “That line, I don’t know where it came from, but I know why it’s there,” when talking about the memorandum. “It removes one of the major hurdles that someone would need to jump in order to make a gaming license in Florida portable, and specifically for 2 or 3 people, including the owner of the Fontainebleau and our 45th president.” 

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Still, Governor DeSantis hopes the agreement will inspire others to follow suit. Whether or not legislation created the 74-page contract with both Floridians and the Seminole people’s best interest at heart is to be seen. In the meantime, like Mayor Gelber states, “Floridians are watching as a tribal gambling compact is becoming a vehicle by which widespread casino gambling will be spread throughout our state.” In the future other states, besides Florida, may have to deal with gambling becoming widespread and the likely increase of its abuse among its people.

The post The Controversial Seminole Tribe’s Gambling Deal appeared first on Addiction Center.

On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, American Airlines joined Southwest and banned alcohol during flights. According to an internal memo sourced by CNN, American Airlines will not serve economy passengers alcohol mid-flight. The ban may last until September 13, 2021. Once the federal mask mandate for planes, airports, and other public transportation lifts, alcohol sales mid-flight are likely to resume. Business and first-class, however, will continue to receive alcohol service with no delays. 

The precautionary announcement curtails Southwest’s after a violent confrontation between a stewardess and passenger. During a flight from Sacramento, California, to San Diego, a flight attendant was attacked by a Southwest customer. The employee reportedly lost two teeth during the violent act. A different passenger caught the fight on camera, and it quickly went viral. 

In response to the alleged attack, Southwest quickly notified the public of a ban on alcohol sales during their flights. “Given a recent uptick industry-wide of incidents in-flight involving disruptive passengers, we’re pausing previously announced resumption of alcohol service onboard,” the airline said in a statement. American Airlines, as well as Delta, shortly followed.

The Rise In Airline Violence

Unfortunately, the altercation is only one of many. In the past few weeks, there has been an influx of travelers this summer. Compared to March 2020, the airports had a 499% increase in customers. A report by the Transportation Security Administration shows that during Memorial Day weekend, 1.95 million people were flying. Besides the large crowds, airports nationwide are also seeing a spike in violent incidents. According to various news outlets, there has been a hoard of disorderly passengers going viral every few weeks.

Since the start of the pandemic, countless airline employees have battled with unruly clients. People have refused to use their masks, objected to self distance, or have reacted unreasonably. Now, as vaccines quickly roll out, the number of disagreeable passengers has increased. The massive number of people hoping to travel is causing long lines, capacity flight, and plenty of tension. 

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While at the airport, anxious travelers are bringing alcohol to drink, cursing at employees, and even threatening each other. Since February, about 22 people have received civil penalties. The Federal Aviation Administration disclosed they had received 2,500 reports of disruptive behavior. Of the 2,500 reports of disorderly conduct, 1,900 were of passengers disobeying federal face-mask requirements. 

A Possible Solution: Alcohol Ban

To combat the rising number of incidents nationwide, airlines are taking action by banning alcohol sales. According to Sara Nelson, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, “The incidents of violence on planes is out of control and alcohol is often a contributor. The federal government should provide guidance to airlines and airports on pausing alcohol sales for a period of time.” Brady Byrnes, American Airlines managing director of flight service training and administration, in a memo, added, “We also recognize that alcohol can contribute to atypical behavior from customers onboard, and we owe it to our crew not to potentially exacerbate what can already be a new and stressful situation for our customers.”

Though alcohol is a legally controlled substance, when used excessively, it can be dangerous. It lowers inhibitions and is highly correlated with violent acts. It also has a broad range of other side effects, from loss of coordination to slurred speech. Nearly 15 million Americans over 18 have an alcohol use disorder. Still, only about 7% of those addicted ever receive treatment. Unfortunately, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people with an alcohol disorder rose during the pandemic. 

As the world rushes to return to a pre-Covid-19, it is essential to note that airlines must take some precautions to maintain the safety of every traveler. As of now, passengers may have more anxiety and stress than usual. Unfortunately, alcohol can aggravate those symptoms. To combat the problem, the airlines decided to halt their alcohol sales and not contribute to the further agitation of its guests. Like a spokesperson for Southwest said, “We realize this decision will be disappointing for some customers, but we feel it to be the right decision now in the interest of safety and comfort of all on board.” In the future, as tensions simmer and the world picks up pace, alcohol sales during flights could return. 

The post Airlines Ban Alcohol On Flights Following Spike In Violent Incidents appeared first on Addiction Center.

Last week Robinhood made headlines when a surge of stay-at-home traders manipulated the stock market. A forum called Reddit’s WallStreetBets coordinated a massive spike in a few struggling stocks. It caused a buying frenzy on Robinhood that raised $1 billion in new funds. Yet, while people focused on the money made, experts noticed monolithic signs of gambling addiction. 

Is The App Promoting Gambling?

One of the earmarks of gambling is volatility. Some days you win a jackpot, and the next, you could lose $7,000. It is essentially what makes gambling so attractive. Unfortunately, it is a huge problem in the United States. Roughly 1% of adults are battling a gambling disorder, which is why researchers and competing companies are sounding the alarm on Robinhood. According to whistleblowers, the app is using exploitative practices to induce gambling in its users. 

Robinhood’s Design 

Much like gambling apps, experts claim Robinhood uses cues that promote addiction. The behaviors are similar to a gambling disorder. For example, when a new member joins the platform, an image of a digital scratch-off lottery ticket pops up on their screen. The picture is a welcome stub, a gift for joining Robinhood’s community. The app’s stub promises a free share of stock worth anywhere from $2.50 to $200. If the new trader wants the prize, they have to play by ”scratching off” the image like a lotto ticket. 

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At first, the interaction seems harmless, even fun. Yet, Keith Whyte, the National Council on Problem Gambling executive director, warns that Robinhood’s styling has features like common betting apps. He claims it encourages immediacy and frequent engagement. Through its design, Robinhood induces dopamine rushes (pleasure neurotransmitter).

By promising a free yet unknown gift, the company immediately triggers dopamine responses among their new users. The trigger is what keeps them coming back. 

Some of Robinhood’s many alleged dopamine inducing features include:

• Green confetti to celebrate transactions.
• A constant update of stock related articles.
• A colorful, eye-catching interface.
• Emoji phone notifications.
• One-click trading for instant gratification.
• Free stocks in the shape of lottery tickets.
• Waitlists where users can improve their position by tapping up to 1,000 times per day. 

Research indicates that a flow of uncertainty and rewards hooks users. Much like drugs or alcohol, incertitude stimulates the brain’s reward system. Over time this repeated exposure can lead to addiction. Other studies show that volatility can even enhance cravings or the desire for drugs. The market’s waves and Robinhood’s fun interface are keeping users too loyal. 

Manipulating Young Investors With Game-Like Interfaces

Through its charming elements like one-click trading and playful phone notifications, Robinhood has lured over 13 million customers. The app’s simplicity and graphic design make trading feel like gaming. The platform has drawn in young investors by presenting complex financial instruments like a fun game. Unfortunately, financial experts believe that instead of helping users, the app is purposely downplaying trading risks. They suspect it to be a method to get users hooked to their platform.

Inexperienced investors are not actively warned about financial dangers. Instead, the app’s design is drawing them to the riskiest forms of trading like options. The app also highlights more risky investments with dazzling neons like cryptocurrencies. Suppose the app’s founders truly wanted to promote intelligent investing. In that case, they’d encourage safe opportunities like an exchange-traded fund (ETF) instead. Instead, Titan co-CEO Joe Percoco believes investors are being given a, “fast new car, without driving instructions.”

Monetizing Gambling Impulses

The zero-commission brokerage allows you to trade instantly with no minimum deposit. At first glance, the innovative app sounds like it’s helping democratize investing by not charging fees. But many believe it’s a strategy to induce more addictive trading (a source of income for the app). According to filings, Robinhood received $18,955 from trading firms for every dollar in the average customer account. Schwab only received $195 for the same deal. 

The problem with zero commission trading is that it allows users to trade as often as they want. So users can sell or buy the minute their stocks go down or up. This form of trading is correlated with gambling behaviors. Dave Guarino, a product lead at the California Office of Digital Innovation, believes that Robinhood’s goal is not to shift capital gains to everyday people’s hands. He thinks they are monetizing on gambling impulses. 

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The Future Of Its Users

This past week, people caught their first glimpse of the potential gambling issue within Robinhood. For years experts have warned the public about the brokerage’s questionable practices. Like the Titan, co-CEO Percoco noted, “Robinhood is designed and makes money based on clients trading addictively. This is horrific.” Robinhood is drawing millions of users to their platform through a gamification style. By downplaying trading risks, their methods are allegedly encouraging more trades. Overtime, users get hooked and the app makes more money. This dilemma is a severe problem that can lead to a rise in gambling disorders. Hopefully, researchers can get more information on Robinhood’s alleged suspicious practices soon.

If you or a loved one is experiencing gambling addiction and considering treatment options, you can find online therapy resources here.

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Approximately 1 in 3 Americans live in a state where recreational Marijuana is legal. There are roughly 109 million Americans living in areas where adults can use Cannabis legally. The popularity of Marijuana among American adults is gaining traction. According to recent surveys, more than 45% of adults in the United States have used weed at least once. A different survey discovered that 1 in 8 adults are avid Marijuana users. These numbers prove the prevalence of Cannabis use has doubled over the past few years. Just 10 years ago, Marijuana was illegal across the United States. Today the plant is legal for medicinal purposes in 36 states and completely legal in 19 and 3 US territories (including Washington, DC). 

Where Marijuana Is Legal In The United States?

In 2021, New York, Virginia, New Mexico, and Connecticut were the newest states to fully legalize the use of Marijuana. Though they are the most recent states to join the Cannabis industry, there are other notable states and territories on the ever-growing list.  

Colorado (November 2012)

Colorado was the first state to legalize Marijuana in 2012. Since its legalization nearly a decade ago, the government has made over $12 billion in Cannabis sales. 

Washington (November 2012)

Originally approved for medical use in 1998, it was another 20 years (in 2012) before Washington state would allow the plant to be used recreationally as well.

Alaska (November 2014)

Alaska was the second state to decriminalize cannabis in 1971. In 1998 the state legalized medical cannabis use for qualifying individuals, although there was no legal way of purchasing the plant. It wasn’t until 2014 that the government approved the regulation, production, and sale of cannabis, as well as recreational cannabis use. A year later, the Marijuana Control Board (MCB) was created to regulate and govern recreational cannabis use. 

Oregon ( November 2014)

In Oregon, medical Marijuana has been legal since 1998. Six years ago in 2014, the state made recreational adult-use (21 and older) Cannabis legal.

District of Columbia (November 2014)

The use of weed for medical and adult-use purposes is legal in Washington, DC, however, however, the consumption/use on federal property is against the law. To purchase medical Marijuana a patient must be registered and referred by a healthcare professional. 

Massachusetts (November 2016)

Medical and recreational use of Marijuana is legal in Massachusetts. The Pilgrim State was 1 of 4 states (along with California, Maine, and Nevada) and the first state on the east coast to approve adult use of the plant for “fun” in November 2016. 

California (November 2016)

California was the first state to pass the medical use of Marijuana in 1996. On November 8, 2016, adults 21 and older were legally allowed to consume weed for recreational purposes. 

Maine (November 2016)

Four years ago, in 2016, citizens in Maine voted to approve the possession, consumption, and cultivation of Marijuana for personal use. However, the state was already allowing adults to consume weed for medical purposes since 1999.

Nevada (November 2016)

Recreational and medical use of Marijuana has been legal in Nevada since 2016. 

Northern Mariana Islands (September 2018)

Both medical and recreational Marijuana possession and purchase is permitted in the US territory, the Northern Mariana Islands. The law was implemented within a year of being issued.

Michigan (November 2018)

Since 2018, the use of cannabis for adult or medical purposes has been approved by the state along with legislation that would allow low-level Marijuana convicts to have their record expunged. Michigan was the first midwestern state to fully legalize the use of the plant.

Vermont (January 2018)

Vermont approved the recreational use of Marijuana in 2018, though recreational dispensaries are not yet operational. Cannabis retailers are slated to open and begin selling later this fall in October 2022.

Guam (April 2019)

The medical and recreational use of Marijuana is legal in the US territory. Guam passed a law in 2019 which legalized the plant. Currently the sale and distribution of the substance is illegal, but residents are permitted to gift no more than an ounce to those who are of age.

Illinois ( May 2019)

In the land of Lincoln, both adult and medical use is legal. Illinois passed the plant bill in 2019. Interestingly, while Illinois residents can possess up to 30 grams of weed, 5 grams of concentrated substances, and products containing up to 500mg of THC, visitors of Illinois are only allowed half of their resident counterparts.

New Jersey (November 2020)

One of 4 states during the election season of 2020 to initially approve Marijuana legislation, 67% of New Jersey adults voted to approve the widespread legalization. When the bill was signed, it also changed the policies around for underage possession of both Marijuana and alcohol.

Arizona ( November 2020)

Along with New Jersey and Montana, Arizona finally legalized recreational Marijuana in 2020 after failing to do so in 2016. The bill also allowed those with Marijuana offenses to have their record expunged.

Montana (November 2020)

Montana legalized weed in the 2020 election and set the adult-use age to 21. Recreational sales only recently began in early 2022.

South Dakota (November 2020, Overturned November 2021)

Originally 1 of the 4 states to pass the bill in the 2020 election, South Dakota’s legislature overturned the decision roughly a year later in November 2021. While highly regulated, the sale and possession of Marijuana for medical purposes is legal and state officials recently began card application approvals in March of 2022.

New York (March 2021)

Roughly a year ago, New York became the 15^th US state to legalize the sale and distribution of recreational Marijuana. It is the first state to allow users to smoke anywhere cigarettes are allowed and aiming to repair the communities most affected by the war on drugs, the bill addresses changes in the legal system and treatment of those with Marijuana-related offenses.

Virginia (April 2021)

As of July 2021, residents of Virginia who are 21 and older are permitted the use of Marijuana for recreational purposes.

New Mexico (April 2021)

While the bill was approved in April 2021, New Mexico’s state-operated dispensaries only recently opened to the public to begin selling for recreational purposes in April 2022.

Connecticut (June 2021)

The sale and distribution of recreational Cannabis was approved in the state of Connecticut in June 2021. Low-level Marijuana offenses are also expunged under this new law and dispensaries are slated to open this summer of 2022.

Rhode Island (May 2022)

As of May 25, 2022, Rhode Island is the newest state to be added to the list of those who have legalized the use and sale of Marijuana. Unlike many of its predecessors (besides New York), Cannabis will be allowed everywhere tobacco cigarettes are. Retail sales are expected to begin before the end of the year in December.

Will The Marijuana Popularity Trend Continue?

The ever-growing popularity of Marijuana is helping change the United States’ perception of the plant and is set to continue. The growing acceptance is slowly decriminalizing Cannabis as the industry works to shift the view and stigma from “dangerous risk” to “natural remedy.” There is still much scientists do not know about the long-term effects of the drug and how it impacts certain demographics like underage users, but as laws continue to change, so too will overarching attitudes. Hopefully, as time goes on and Marijuana gains traction and information is more accessible and less taboo, researchers will be presented with more opportunities to study both the good and the bad of this highly contested plant.

The post All The States That Legalized Marijuana appeared first on Addiction Center.

On February 5, the CEOs of five e-cigarette vendors  (JUUL Labs, Inc., Fontem Ventures, NJOY, Logic Vapes, and Reynolds American) testified in Congress before the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. As lawsuits and public backlash continue to barrage the American e-cigarette industry, the Committee members questioned the five executives about whether the companies they lead marketed their nicotine-based products to children and teenagers.

A JAMA study published last November estimated that 27.5% of high student students and 10.5% of middle school students in America smoke e-cigarettes, even though the FDA and many doctors warn that vaping might cause nicotine addiction and damage adolescents’ lungs. The majority of underage smokers vape with JUUL devices, according to the research. At the hearing, JUUL CEO K.C. Crosthwaite expressed concern about the problem. “I fully recognize that the opportunity for the millions of adult smokers who still use combustible cigarettes to have an alternative is at risk if we don’t address this issue,” Crosthwaite told the Subcommittee as he vowed to keep his company “focused on combating underage access.”

Crosthwaite and the other CEOs all denied allegations that the e-cigarette industry targets children and adolescents. As evidence, several of the CEOs informed the Subcommittee that their companies had voluntarily stopped selling sweet-flavored and mint-flavored vaping products even before the FDA banned them last year. The FDA asserts that young people are most likely to use such products.

Most of the CEOs also touted their policy of suspending social media marketing campaigns which appeal to underage viewers. One Subcommittee member, Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), condemned Foment CEO Antoine Blonde as the “odd man out” because his company still pays online “influencers” to promote BLU e-cigarettes.

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Disposable Vapes And FDA Oversight

The proliferation of open-system and disposable vaping devices was a major topic at the hearing. The FDA policy against flavored vaping products went into effect on February 6, but the policy only affects devices with closed-system cartridges, such as JUUL e-cigarettes. Closed-system devices have cartridges (or “pods”) pre-filled with e-juice. While these products still dominate the e-cigarette market, vape pens with refillable, open-system cartridges and single-use, disposable “puff bars” are becoming more popular. These products also contain nicotine and offer a variety of flavors.

Meredith Berkman, the co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes (PAVE), told the Subcommittee that the FDA should extend its flavored-devices ban to all vaping devices. Meanwhile, Gregory Conley of the American Vaping Association criticized the Subcommittee for only questioning “one side of the industry,” that is, closed-system e-cigarette manufacturers. Conley also accused Congress of attempting to usurp the FDA as America’s tobacco regulator.

Throughout the hearing, the five executives appeared to agree with Conley’s position by frequently deferring to FDA oversight. In response to questions about disposable devices, NJOY CEO Ryan Nivakoff cited “the fact that the FDA excluded the disposables from the guidance completely” to absolve his company from any obligation to withdraw them from the market.

On other issues, such as whether nicotine is harmful and whether regulations on cigarettes should apply to e-cigarettes, the CEOs stated that the FDA should decide. When Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) asked if JUUL would initiate a sales freeze, Crosthwaite replied that the review of his company’s application for FDA approval is “the process we think is best to make that determination.”

Despite the executives’ statements about combatting underage vaping, Committee Chairman Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) ended the hearing on a note of skepticism. “I heard all of you over and over say you are responsible men, men of integrity. That is not true,” he declared. “If you want to be men of integrity, responsible men, you would not be selling this product.”

JUUL Restructuring Continues

Under the suspicious gaze of lawmakers and regulators, America’s largest e-cigarette company is working to adapt to new rules and a tougher playing field. After Crosthwaite became JUUL CEO last year, he cut the company’s expenditures by $1 billion and dismissed over 650 employees. He also suspended advertising and political lobbying to signal cooperation with the government after a surge of vaping-related respiratory illnesses shocked the country, although there is no evidence JUUL products caused the crisis.

In the past year, over 300 parties have filed lawsuits against JUUL for allegedly marketing e-cigarettes to adolescents. After the hearing, Pennsylvania joined New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and California in a bloc of states suing JUUL. The legal pressure has impacted the company’s profits. Last October, JUUL’s market valuation fell to $24 billion from its $38 billion valuation in 2018, the year the tobacco giant Altria Group, Inc. bought a 35% share of the company. Altria has since reported about $8 billion in impairment fees for its JUUL investment. Even still, JUUL has raised over $700 million in convertible debt from investors, a sign of the company’s intent to persevere.

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Rochester Drug Co-Op (RDC), located in New York, announced the end of their opioid sales. This announcement comes along during a criminal trial involving two of the company’s former executives who’ve been charged with conspiring to defraud the US DEA and illegally distributing opioids.

Partners In Crime

Laurence Doud III, former RDC CEO received the conspiracy and defrauding charges. Doud could face anywhere from 10 years to life in prison at the age of 72. A compliance officer by the name of William Pietruszewski was also charged with the previous two crimes, as well as one count of willfully failing to file suspicious order reports.

Suspicious Activity

From 2012 to 2016, Rochester Drug Co-Op flagged only 4 narcotics orders as suspicious. During that time and into 2017, nearly 1.5 million orders were made in total. Demand for oxycodone grew by 800% and demand for fentanyl grew by 2000%. Only 4 orders throughout this unprecedented growth struck RDC as worth reporting. This lack of effort on their part is what ultimately landed Pietruszewski with the charge of willfully failing to file suspicious order reports.

No More Opioids

When asked about the company’s choice to cease future opioid sales, an RDC representative cited financial concerns. According to them, the legal and regulatory costs of selling these drugs outweighed their current contribution to the company’s success. They assured the media that this decision was purely business and not one made in light of the legal issues. While RDC is suspending their future opioid sales, they will continue selling their remaining inventory until that runs out.

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Suing Pharmaceuticals

More and more pharmaceutical companies find themselves embroiled in cases like these. Several states are out for restitution to help fix the damage done during the early opioid crisis, which was fueled by prescription opioids. While pharmaceutical company cases are more common, this is one of the first to accuse executive of defrauding and illegally distributing.

As of mid 2019, 48 states sued OxyContin manufacturers over their role in starting and growing the opioid crisis. Settlements from these cases started small, but a few states have won serious amounts of money from companies. Oklahoma took home the largest settlement from Johnson & Johnson who were ordered to pay $572 million. States use these payouts to help pay for the measures necessary to recover from the damage from the past 20 years.

The Impact On The Rochester Drug Co-Op

The company representative refused to say what impact the litigation and opioid action plan may have on their company’s revenue. In 2019 they ranked 6^th in pharmaceutical distributors with more than $1 billion in revenue.

Prescription Opioids And You

The damage done throughout the US because of prescription opioids is too much to measure in dollars. If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid use and you need help, please reach out. It takes great courage to admit you have a problem and take the first steps towards fixing it. Treatment providers are available 24/7 to help.

The post Rochester Drug Co-Op Stop Opioid Sales Amid Criminal Case appeared first on Addiction Center.

On January 13, the pharmaceutical company Lannett Company, Inc. announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its New Drug Application to market Numbrino, the brand-name for a cocaine hydrochloride nasal spray. Numbrino is a topical solution for the mucus membranes in the nasal cavities. Lannett Company intends to advertise and sell Numbrino to otolaryngologists, a group of doctors who specialize in the ears, nose, and throat. Otolaryngologists who buy Numbrino will use the drug as a local anesthetic during nasal operations. The drug will not be available for ordinary retail.

Numbrino is the first brand-name medication ever to be sold by Lannett Company, a Philadelphia-based manufacturer of about 100 generic drugs. The announcement caused the value of Lannett Company shares to rise by 5.7%. Tim Crew, the company’s CEO, hailed the FDA’s decision as “a major milestone in Lannett’s 70-plus years of operations” and predicted a product launch for Numbrino would happen soon. Last year, Lannett Company received FDA approval to sell a generic version of Adderall, a popular medication for ADHD.

Cocaine In Medicine And The FDA

Cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance, a drug with medical value which poses serious risks for abuse and addiction, according to the federal government. Although it is illegal as a recreational drug, cocaine is legal as an ingredient in legitimate medications.

In fact, Lannett Company is not the first business to manufacture an anesthetic with cocaine. In 2019, Lannett Company won a regulatory battle against Genus Lifescience, a competitor also headquartered in Pennsylvania, over the latter company’s claim to a five-year period of exclusivity for its own cocaine hydrochloride product the FDA approved two years earlier. The FDA dismissed a petition to uphold an exclusivity period and allowed Lannett Company to submit Numbrino for approval.

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The FDA Takes Less Time To Approve Drugs

Since 1906, the FDA has been responsible for assessing the safety and effectiveness of drugs before allowing pharmaceutical companies to sell them to Americans. The agency must consult clinical trials to ensure the benefits of every drug outweigh the risks.  The FDA approved Numbrino only after the drug underwent a “phase 1” and a “phase 3” clinical trial. A phase 1 clinical trial takes several months and requires 20 to 100 subjects to test the short-term safety of a drug. A phase 3 clinical trial involves as many as 3,000 subjects and takes several years to monitor a drug’s long-term effects and hazards.

A study published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found the FDA is approving drugs faster than ever before. The researchers for the study determined the FDA approved an average of 41 drugs every year from 2010 to 2018. By contrast, the agency approved an average of 34 drugs every year from 1990 to 1999.

While the number of approvals has increased, the length of time the FDA dedicates to reviewing New Drug Applications has decreased. Specifically, the median length of time the FDA spent on reviewing data on a given drug from 1993 to 2005 was 1.5 years. From 2006 to 2017, the median length of time for review fell to 1.2 years. In 2018, the median length of time fell even further to just eight months. According to the study, accelerated review for drugs at the FDA “reduc[es] the amount of evidence available at the time of approval and increas[es] uncertainty about the existence or amount of clinical benefit.” Nevertheless, drug companies still take about seven years to conduct clinical trials, as they did thirty years ago.

The Pharmaceutical Industry Pays The FDA “User Fees” To Expedite Approval

The study attributes this trend to laws that Congress passed in the 1980s and 1990s to accelerate drug approval for HIV/AIDS and other diseases for which medications were not available. One law, the Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992, allows drug companies to donate money to the FDA to help the agency hire more researchers and review drugs more quickly.

In 2018, drug companies paid over $900 million to the FDA for this purpose. The JAMA study estimates that about 80% of the salaries of FDA researchers depend on Big Pharma “user fees.” The intention of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act was to create a partnership between the drug industry and the FDA for the benefit of patients, but researcher Jonathan Darrow suggests the law “has created a culture in the FDA where the primary client is no longer viewed as the patient, but as the industry.” Darrow and his peers say Congress should consider revisions to the system.

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