In December of 2018, Congress passed the farm bill, which, among other things, broadened the ways in which hemp can be cultivated and transported. While hemp can be used to create a variety of products, the market for cannabidiol, a hemp extract commonly known as CBD, is attracting the most attention by far. CBD is said to promote relaxation without the psychoactive effects of the THC compound found in marijuana, and manufacturers have been adding the compound to everything from beverages to shampoo since the bill passed.
Continue ReadingThanks in large part to aggressive marketing and appealing flavors, smoking e-cigarettes or vaping has rapidly escalated from a fad to an issue that many experts are considering a public health epidemic—particularly for teens and pre-teens. While e-cigarettes have been available since 2007, new manufacturers, offerings and marketing tactics have brought them into the lives of countless young people. According to the FDA, 21% of high school students have used an e-cigarette in the last year.
Continue ReadingEarlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration confirmed the presence of asbestos in three products manufactured by Claire’s and Justice, two retailers whose products target pre-teens and teenagers. The contamination was first reported in 2017 and the FDA has now released test results that confirm the asbestos, which has been linked to various cancers and serious respiratory issues.
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