The Daily Briefing 8.27.2020

An editorial in the Wall Street Journal rightly points out that amid the current pandemic, America has been suffering for years from another deadly scourge—drug addiction. While there has been some progress reducing overdose deaths and limiting prescriptions for addictive prescription painkillers, much of the progress might be reversed by the pandemic—in fact, overdose fatalities have already spiked in 2019 and are expected to be even higher this year. It also warns of troubling, related trends such as increased pot sales during the lockdown, and its potential impact on young people and workplace safety, noting that those who favor legalization should be more honest about the cost of drug use.

Meanwhile, a new study finds that Black, Hispanic and lower income neighborhoods in California have a higher proportion of unlicensed marijuana stores. It doesn’t say why or how unlicensed shops are allowed to operate under the state’s supposedly strict marijuana laws, but the report does conclude that as a result, “minority populations are disproportionately exposed to unlicensed retailers, potentially exacerbating health disparities by selling unregulated products or selling to minors.”

And finally, marijuana edibles will soon go on the market in Florida—and the state is laying down some rules.  Baked goods, chocolates and lozenges are allowed but in some good news for parents, any product packaged in primary or bright colors that might be attractive to children are out, along with any edible resembling commercially available candy. Given the large existing market in Florida for medical marijuana, the sale of edibles including granola bars and even olive oil is expected to boom.  Bon appétit!

The Daily Briefing 8.26.2020

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has called on state lawmakers to quickly approve legalization of recreational marijuana, with tax revenues earmarked for a COVID-19 economic recovery plan. Echoing other state leaders who support similar moves, Wolf said pot tax revenues could supplement relief loans provided by the federal government. But unlike other states that have private commercial marijuana businesses, Wolf believes state-run dispensaries would be an “ideal” way to distribute the drug. He added, the money would be divvied up between historically disadvantaged businesses and restorative justice programs that have hurt communities as a result of marijuana criminalization.

While decriminalization is a worthy goal, the rush to legalize marijuana in the wake of COVID-19 economic losses is shortsighted. It ignores not only the public health implications of easier access to pot—especially for young people—but also the impact on communities, the workplace and law enforcement.

Meanwhile, two commonly used medications used to combat overdoses and addiction are making the news. A new study shows that prescriptions for the overdose-reversal drug naloxone have skyrocketed in the past decade—with the most dramatic increase happening from 2016 onward, as the medication became an essential tool to combat drug overdoses. At the same time, Medicaid spending on naloxone also soared to $15 million in 2018, as more states extended coverage.

And finally, another survey finds that only one-third of residential drug treatment facilities use the withdrawal medication buprenorphine, although the drug has been proven effective to treat addiction for many patients as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that includes counseling, therapy and peer-based support.

The Daily Briefing 8.25.2020

Positive drug tests among American workers in 2019 reached the highest level in 16 years—especially for marijuana, as a wave of cannabis legalization made the drug more easily available. Overall, the proportion of those in the general workforce who tested positive for drugs in urine rose to 4.5 percent compared to 3.5 percent a decade ago, a 30-year low, according to Quest Diagnostics. But the biggest jump was positive tests for pot, which climbed 11 percent in 2019 from the year before and 29 percent since 2015, a time span in which the number of legal marijuana states grew to 11 from four. Surprisingly, the spike in positive marijuana results came as fewer employers even tested for the drug, especially in states where it is legal.

Meanwhile, positive urine tests for opiates—primarily prescription pain relievers containing codeine and morphine—fell 19 percent in 2019 from the year before, while those for heroin dropped 33 percent. The results for marijuana testing follow a recent CDC call for more research into the impact of marijuana use on the job and workplace safety—in particular, for jobs that involved driving a vehicle.

And finally, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are doubling down on decriminalizing marijuana—a position supported by the Rosenthal Center—as the presidential campaign heads into the final months. In an interview, the candidates were on the same page concerning pot despite Harris’s prior advocacy of full-on marijuana legalization. Now, both support the  official Democratic Party platform that calls for decriminalization, legalizing medical marijuana and letting states go their own way on recreational.

The Daily Briefing 8.24.2020

President Trump is reportedly worried that marijuana legalization initiatives on the November ballot in a number of swing states will be a plus for Joe Biden—because voters who favor cannabis reform tend to lean Democratic. Trump believes the inclusion of weed legalization will supercharge voters, making it a marginal issue that takes on greater importance and might shift voters toward progressive candidates and causes.

Trump’s take on pot—and drugs in general—has shifted over the years: decades ago he favored full-on legalization of all drugs (and more recently advocated executing drug dealers by firing squad), but by 2016 he was strongly against legal weed. That might change this year as two of the four states where recreational cannabis will likely be on the ballot—Arizona and Montana—have U.S. Senate contests where Republican incumbents are facing tough fights.

Meanwhile, new CDC datafrom Hawaii shows that nearly half of all high schools students in the state have tried e-cigarettes and about one-third are regular users—and big jump from just two years ago when one in four students said they vaped. The numbers, which are even higher for Native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders, points to the urgent need for public health programs to protect youth from all tobacco products.

And finally, a new study from Canada finds that that vast majority of opioid deaths in British Columbia involve illicit and non-prescribed substances such as fentanyl—and not prescription opioids. The data suggests that while reducing the number of opioid prescriptions through monitoring programs is still important, it should not be the only component of efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

The Daily Briefing 8.21.2020

A new poll shows that New Jersey voters strongly favor a marijuana legalization measure on the November ballot—and also back higher taxes on pot sales with revenue earmarked for drug awareness programs. In a sign of the legalization movement's growing momentum in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, 66 percent of likely voters in New Jersey support legalization—about 5 percentage points higher than in April. About 55 percent said they want higher taxes on marijuana than there are on other goods and services, while 71 percent back directing the tax dollars to drug education—perhaps about the risks and dangers posed by marijuana.

There’s no word in the survey about regulation of the cannabis market to prevent youth access to the drug, or provisions for local control to keep pot out of neighborhoods that don’t want it—which were supported by a majority of respondents in the recent Rosenthal Center Cannabis Perceptions Poll. As the rush to legalization continues, perhaps proponents should read the CDC’s recent call for more research into the impact of cannabis in the workplace.

The challenges of increasing cannabis consumption by workers and possible worker impairment, requires urgent and critical attention, the CDC says. One area of special concern is whether marijuana increases the risk of traffic crashes by workers who drive, as has been shown in previous studies of traffic fatalities in states that have legalized marijuana. These are critical questions that should be addressed before legalization measures are put on the ballot. 

The Daily Briefing 8.20.2020

Efforts to accelerate the pace of marijuana legalization are gaining strength, as four state attorneys general urge Congress to pass a federal legalization bill as early as next month. The AGs from New York, Oregon, Delaware and Minnesota reason that “the responsible regulation and control of marijuana will be more beneficial to society than prohibiting and criminalizing it,” noting that cannabis reform is as urgent as ever as a matter of public health and safety. In their view, decriminalizing pot and regulating cannabis would help reduce youth access and promote public safety—although it's not clear what evidence, if any, supports this theory. In fact, many studies show the opposite—that marijuana use among young people often increases following legalization, along with car traffic fatalities and emergency room visits among other health risks posed by easier access to pot.

Before moving ahead with legalization, the Rosenthal Center proposes a moratorium to allow time to better understand the impact of pot in legalized states, especially when it comes to vulnerable populations, as well as strict rules and regulations to control the market.

Meanwhile, a new study shows that Americans have a significant lack of understanding about opioids—despite the ongoing opioid crisis and extensive media coverage of addiction issues. The survey finds that while a majority of Americans say they know what an opioid is, only 22 percent could successfully identify seven commonly prescribed opioids.

And finally, consumers are buying products with CBD—the non-psychoactive component of marijuana—in record numbers, and they’re also giving CBD to their pets for ailments including anxiety and skin conditions, despite warnings from vets. Sales of pet CBD products grew nearly 1,000 percent in 2019, although vets say that peer-reviewed research on CBD for dogs is still limited and no products have been approved by the FDA—much like the current status of CBD for humans.

The Daily Briefing 8.19.2020

Joe Biden’s VP pick Kamala Harris continues to make waves concerning her complicated history with cannabis. Both Republicans and some Democrats fault the senator from California, accusing her of lying about former pot use (Republicans) and not being liberal enough on marijuana legalization (progressive Democrats).

The reality is that Harris’ position on pot has steadily shifted, from prosecuting marijuana possession as California attorney general to advocating for cannabis reform and legalization as senator. Digging into the details, however, reveals that while Harris pursued possession cases very few people were ever incarcerated for low-level offenses. And although she now supports reform, progressives fault her for adopting Biden’s sensible, go-slow approach and backing away from full legalization.

The Rosenthal Center fully supports the Biden position, which calls for decriminalizing marijuana, legalizing medical marijuana, and allowing states to decide on recreational use—a policy guided by available scientific research.

And finally, a new study finds that individuals with a history of depression are more than twice as likely than their peers to report using cannabis every day or nearly every day. The survey of more than 16,000 U.S. adults also shows a growing association between depression and frequent cannabis use. It adds that recent portrayals of pot in the media suggest—without evidence—that marijuana could help with depressive disorders, which might be driving the recent trends.

The Daily Briefing 8.18.2020

There’s a new development in the nationwide opioid litigation: around a dozen states say they are seeking $26.4 billion from major drug distributors for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic, which has killed more than 400,000 Americans over the past two decades. The demand came as states, cities and Native American tribes continue talks with the opioid industry—drug distributors as well as opioid manufacturers and pharmacy chains—to settle thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid crisis.

The distributors are under scrutiny for failing to flag tens of millions of suspicious orders that were diverted for improper use, and eventually led to substance abuse and continuing high rates of opioid-related overdoses. If a settlement can be reached, the Rosenthal Center urges all parties to include ironclad guarantees that all the money will go directly to communities that have suffered and to health care organizations in order to abate the crisis and significantly expand drug treatment.

Meanwhile, with e-cigarette maker Juul under siege from regulators and critics for marketing its products to young people, cigarette company Reynolds American is ramping up sales and marketing of its Vuse brand backed by price promotions, social-media post and billboards aimed at making vaping cool again. Using young models and music that appeals to younger adults, the campaign appears to be working: Vuse sales rose 83 percent in July alone (as Juul’s sales fell 29 percent), just as the FDA is considering new regulations to better control the market for highly addictive e-cigarettes.

And finally, if there are any doubts about the dangers of vaping, a new study found that nearly half of teens who vape have contemplated quitting and 25 percent attempted to stop—a clear indication of the urgent need for interventions to encourage vaping cessation.

The Daily Briefing 8.17.2020

Medical marijuana sales in Pennsylvania are soaring, due to COVID-19-related anxiety and the loosening of sales restrictions that make it easier for consumers to get hold of the drug. During the last six months, the number of patient visits to medical dispensaries rose by more than 70 percent, and overall retail sales reached $389 million—nearly equal to total sales in the state since legalization two years ago. Buyers want pot to treat chronic pain, but also for anxiety, which is now one of the most cited reasons for obtaining a state medical marijuana card.

Temporary changes to sales regulations are adding to the boom. Dispensaries were deemed “essential” services during the pandemic lockdown, and patients could get a prescription via telemedicine, order pot on the phone and use curb-side pick up to reduce the risk of acquiring corona virus. Some analysts say the sales spike could encourage legalization of adult-use recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania, as the state struggles with a budget shortfall.

Meanwhile, access to products with CBD—the non-psychoactive component of marijuana—is becoming easier with the debut of a CBD vending machine by a marijuana company. The first such machine was placed in a liquor store in Fargo, North Dakota and dispenses capsules, tinctures and other CBD products that are often falsely marketed as a cure-all for everything from stress to cancer and dementia. More worrisome, there’s no age limit imposed by the state on who can buy and consume CBD, which could change as the FDA is considering tighter regulations on the marijuana by-product amid a lack of scientific evidence about its safety and marketing claims.

And finally, a new study reveals that pregnant women are likely to face difficulties accessing treatment for opioid use disorder. Researchers found that pregnant women were 17 percent less likely to be granted an appointment with a physician authorized to provide treatment with addiction-withdrawal medications, which could not only curb substance abuse but also reduce the risk of preterm birth. One-third of the programs granting appointments only did so when the patients agreed to pay cash—highlighting the problem of lack of insurance coverage to treat substance abuse.

The Daily Briefing 8.13.2020

Where does newly minted Democratic VP pick Kamala Harris stand on marijuana? It’s complicated, but indications are the more liberal Harris isn’t likely to push Biden to abandon his go-slow approach on legalization. Harris has a track record on pot that has, as they say, evolved significantly over the course of her political career.

While she prosecuted marijuana cases during her time as attorney general—when pot was still illegal in California—after ending her presidential run Harris supported bills to federally deschedule marijuana and legalize the drug as part of social and criminal justice reform. More recently, she said the war on drugs was a complete failure, noting that had become a “gateway to incarceration,” while also saying that pot was not a gateway drug.

For his part, Biden advocates a reasonable approach to decriminalize marijuana, expunge convictions, allow medical marijuana nationwide, and let states go their own way on recreational—a sensible strategy supported by the Rosenthal Center. Analysts say Harris isn’t likely to convince Biden to go any further, and the official party platform has been formulated along the lines Biden proposes.

And finally, a new study finds more evidence linking vaping and e-cigarette use to COVID-19. Researchers at Stanford University say young people aged 13-24 years who vape were five times more likely to get a positive COVID-19 test result; those who had used both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes were seven times as like to be diagnosed with the disease. The study didn’t prove that vaping causes COVID-19, but it does involve the repeated touching of hands to the mouth and face, which is associated with the spread of the virus, and exposure to the chemicals and nicotine in vaping devices is linked to lung damage. The researchers said they hope the findings prompt the FDA to effectively regulate vaping during the pandemic—and for a long time after as well. 

The Daily Briefing 8.11.2020

A new study finds that marijuana use during pregnancy may increase the risk that a child will develop autism, adding to existing scientific evidence pointing to the negative impact of pot use while pregnant. The large scale study, conducted in Canada before the country legalized marijuana, showed that women who used cannabis during pregnancy were 1.5 times more likely to have a child with autism.

Past studies found that using pot during pregnancy is linked to low birth weight, impulsivity, and cognitive and behavioral issues in children as well as a greater risk of stillbirth. Women often use marijuana early in their pregnancy to avoid medications they feel are harmful, but this is the most sensitive times for the developing fetal brain, the study explained.

The study comes at a time when marijuana use among pregnant women is on the increase in the United States, doubling between 2002 and 2017 despite warnings from medical professionals. In another study concerning opioid overdoses, researchers say the number of overdose fatalities may be as much as 17 percent higher than currently known because many of those deaths are believed to be from cardiac arrest.

Individuals in the California study were presumed to have died from cardiac arrest, but toxicology reports later showed they died from a cocktail of drugs, mostly opioids. The study has implications for assessing an accurate number of drug overdoses, and whether to treat such patients with overdose reversal drugs

The Daily Briefing 8.10.2020

There are new developments in the nationwide opioid litigation. The National Association of Colored People says it wants a seat at the table during settlement talks to make sure communities of color are represented—and eventually receive a fair share of any pay out. Specifically, the NAACP seeks to participate in the bankruptcy case against Purdue Pharma, one of several opioid manufacturers being sued for their alleged role in fueling the opioid epidemic.

Talks are underway in the Purdue cases, which are among thousands of lawsuits against manufacturers, drug distributors and pharmacy chains. The NAACP says Black communities have been left out of the talks, although they suffered from drug addiction and the lack of available treatment because the opioid epidemic is largely perceived as a crisis in white, rural and suburban America—although it is a national problem.

Meanwhile, the judge in Cleveland who is overseeing the cases brought by two Ohio counties has rejected a bid by pharmaceutical chains to toss the cases. The counties claim that chains including Walgreens and Ride Aid flooded their areas with nearly 130 million prescription painkillers between 2000 and 2014—or roughly 260 pills in one county and 320 in another. The judge is responsible for more than 2,000 lawsuits filed by local governments, tribal authorities and other others against the opioid industry.

The Daily Briefing 8.7.2020

Voters in Oregon will decide in November whether to decriminalize all drug possession, in what would be a groundbreaking decision that ends the decades-long war on drugs. The ballot measure would end criminalization of simple possession of any drug, and at the same time would use revenue from marijuana sales to establish a drug treatment and recovery service outside the criminal justice system.

The proposal is modeled on a similar effort In Portugal to remove criminal penalties and focus instead on treatment. It was originally conceived in Oregon to combat the dramatic rise in drug overdose deaths in the state, but more recently has received support from the criminal justice and Black Lives Matter movements, as people of color have disproportionately high rates of incarceration for drug offenses.

Meanwhile in California, a court battle is brewing between the state and many cities that want to overturn the mandate allowing home delivery of marijuana statewide. The cities—including those that have banned commercial pot sales—say home delivery would create a chaotic market for illegal marijuana while undercutting local control of pot that was guaranteed in the 2016 law legalizing the drug.

The Daily Briefing 8.6.2020

There’s worrying news from Colorado: while the number of high school students who use marijuana has not changed dramatically since pot was legalized in the state five years ago, the way young people use the drug has shifted to more dangerous forms of concentrate, vaping and dabbing. The department of health says about one-fifth of students used pot in 2019, but that the number who dab powerful concentrates had more than doubled in four years, and those that vape has almost quintupled to more than 20 percent. Equally troubling, is that those who use the drug are consuming concentrates with THC levels that can reach 90 percent. As other states consider legalization and regulations to govern the market, these findings point to the many risks and dangers—especially to young people—that must be addressed to ensure public safety.

And finally, as the COVID-19 pandemic rages and drug overdose deaths spike, one doctor in Washington, D.C., is still on the front line of the opioid epidemic. A Washington Post article highlights the work of Dr. Edwin Chapman, who treats about 275 opioid addicts in his office in a predominately Black neighborhood of D.C., a city that recorded 47 opioid overdose deaths in April—the highest monthly total in the past five years. Chapman wants to show the city what recovery looks like through a sustained, committed effort to provide high-quality drug treatment to all who want it—a goal he urges city leaders to embrace.

The Daily Briefing 8.5.2020

There are new developments in the nationwide opioid litigation: the Justice Department is seeking as much as $18.1 billion from Purdue Pharma, to settle its case against the opioid maker for its alleged role in fueling the opioid epidemic. Justice is pursuing criminal and civil complaints against Purdue concurrently with thousands of states and local communities. They also accuse Purdue and other opioid manufacturers—along with drug distributors and pharmacy chains—of providing kickbacks to doctors to prescribe opioids and falsely marketing prescription painkillers as non-addictive. The Justice Department case could complicate efforts to reach a master settlement of all litigation, with the hope that the money will be directed to expanding access to drug treatment.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is finalizing its long-awaited first ruling on products with CBD, the non-psychoactive component of marijuana that is often falsely sold as a panacea for many diseases. The guidance could cover the science of how much CBD can be safely included in a product, and the claims made by producers, which would help protect consumers and public health.

And finally, the American Heart Association recommends not smoking or vaping any substance—including marijuana—as this has the potential to trigger heart attacks and strokes. The recommendation is based on the examination of existing research on the connection between cannabis and the heart.

The Daily Briefing 8.4.2020

An op-ed in the New York Times looks at the impact of telemedicine and telehealth practices on drug treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, a topic covered in the August issue of the Rosenthal Report. It notes that in response to the lockdowns and social distance regulations, those being treated for substance abuse can now receive treatment and prescriptions for addiction medications using technology—and as a result has led to expanded access to care and treatment options for many individuals struggling with addiction. The article concludes with the suggestion that we should consider making permanent the temporary changes enabling the use of telemedicine for drug treatment.

Meanwhile, drugmaker Mallinckrodt says it may file for bankruptcy protection, a move that would undermine efforts to reach a settlement in the nationwide opioid litigation, in which the firm and other opioid makers—as well as drug distributors and retail pharmacies—are accused of fueling the opioid epidemic. A bankruptcy filing wasn’t part of a settlement framework unveiled earlier this year to resolve liabilities, and would jeopardize efforts to reach a master agreement.

And finally, a new survey finds that Colorado teens are more aware than ever that vaping nicotine and marijuana is risky—yet that that hasn’t stopped them from taking up e-cigarettes. In fact, one in four say they vape regularly despite knowing the dangers. The survey also shows that vaping often begins in middle school, that there has been a 70 percent increase in students vaping marijuana since 2017, and that 50 percent of young people in the state have tried to quit the habit.

The Daily Briefing 8.3.2020

Opioid overdose deaths continue to spike across the country, as substance abusers and drug treatment providers struggle to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Milwaukee, a new and powerful synthetic opioid, known as iso, is responsible for at least seven recent deaths as overdose fatalities increase across Wisconsin. And in Philadelphia, where overdoses are also on the rise, there are renewed calls to open a safe injection site in the city. After winning court approval, a safe site was supposed to have opened in Philadelphia earlier this year but the effort foundered due to neighborhood opposition. The site, which would have been the first in the United States, would have allowed individuals who shoot up opioids to do so in a secure environment, with medical staff on hand in the event of an overdose. The Rosenthal Center supports safe sites as pilot projects, but with an emphasis on ensuring those who use the site have opportunities and encouragement to enter treatment.

And finally, victim activists are not giving up the fight to hold Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family responsible for the nationwide opioid epidemic. Activist groups are now navigating the complex legal terrain of bankruptcy court, as the company fends off attempts to hold the Sackler family accountable as part of national opioid litigation. Those who have suffered deserve compensation, along with a financial settlement equal to the scale of the tragedy and loss of life that must be directed to expanding access to treatment.

The Daily Briefing 7.31.2020

The fragile gains we have made over the past few years fighting the opioid epidemic are in jeopardy, as the COVID-19 pandemic places further strains on the nation’s health care system and social safety net, according to a report in The New Republic. It says that as overdose deaths rise in 35 states since the start of the pandemic, many of the measures put in place to address addiction—including the distribution of overdose-reversal drugs, community outreach and needle exchange programs—are at risk as resource are diverted to stop the spread of the corona virus. The article also warns that things could get worse as the economy continues to deteriorate and officials threaten cuts to Medicaid   and substance abuse treatment funding due to budget shortfalls.

And finally, an emergency room doctor is speaking out about what he calls the “the lie of medical marijuana,” and the lack of scientific evidence to support the claim that it is an answer for chronic pain control or could be used to treat opioid use disorder. He says the consequences of continuing to market marijuana as such could be grave, noting that the opioid crisis will be followed by the marijuana crisis—even if there are safeguards in place for the distribution of marijuana in any form.

The Daily Briefing 7.30.2020

Should California ban all ads for marijuana to protect children and teens? That’s the idea behind an op-ed in the Sacramento Bee, arguing that cannabis advertising—like all commercial marketing—can reach and influence kids even if it’s not directly targeting this segment of the population. Some cities and states are making efforts to curb such ads: Colorado, for example, bans cannabis companies from buying billboard ads, and the city of San Diego forbids marijuana billboards within 1,000 feet of schools, public parks, playgrounds and daycare centers. Today, however, pot ads are nearly ubiquitous in California—on TV and online, in newspapers and magazines. Instead of cannabis ads appearing everywhere, the op-ed concludes, we need warnings about the risks and dangers of marijuana.

Meanwhile, Joe Biden is doubling down on his marijuana policy that focuses on decriminalization rather than nationwide legalization. In a speech on racial equality and the economy, Biden said he would provide federal aid to states to accelerate expunging marijuana convictions, a process that can be lengthy and expensive for many.

And finally, two initiatives in California that would have legalized psychedelic mushrooms and hallucinogenic compounds have failed to collect enough signatures to make the November 2020 ballot. Supporters said the pandemic hurt the signature-gathering campaign, but perhaps California—which would have been the first jurisdiction to pass such legislation—has simply had enough with legal marijuana.

The Daily Briefing 7.29.2020

Lawmakers in New York State are voicing strong opposition to cuts ordered by Governor Cuomo to critical funding or mental health and substance abuse treatment. The reductions—of more than 30 percent—are due to a COVID-19-related budget shortfall. But they come at a time when drug overdoses are spiking in the state and the need for more treatment is acute as substance abusers face isolation and economic losses. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say more people will die from overdoses if the cuts go through, and community-based treatment providers are forced to close their doors. We urge the governor to maintain substance abuse funding at this critical moment.

Meanwhile, a bankruptcy judge has told Purdue Pharma—the drug company facing multiple lawsuits for its alleged role in fueling the opioid epidemic—to stop making donations to partisan organizations that might influence the outcome of the litigation. The decision comes after Purdue last year made donations of $185,000 to political groups after declaring bankruptcy.

And finally, with cigarette sales declining and e-cigarettes under siege for causing a teen nicotine epidemic, Big Tobacco’s Altria is making bets on a new product—heated-tobacco. The company says it is expanding marketing  for the product although the FDA won’t allow it to claim it reduces overall risks to smokers.