US State News

After the product’s initial launch in May 2024, California’s government has now expanded the availability of its CalRx-branded generic OTC Narcan to all of its citizens.

HHS Secretary Robet F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary to announce planned changes as “a major step forward” as part of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign President Trump has adopted for his administration.

“I’m not sure exactly if they understood how broad this actually is and what that might potentially lead to or what the follow-up would be if somebody now decides to sell a 10-milligram version of ivermectin for human use,” says food and drug regulation attorney Frederick Stearns.

Changes established in West Virginia and proposed in numerous other states gained momentum after Trump was elected to his second term as president and nominated Kennedy to head HHS.

Texas bill filed in advance of the state’s next legislative session starting in January while bills proposing prohibiting sales of supplements and OTC drugs for weight loss or bodybuilding to minors remain active in three states where current sessions continue, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey.

New Jersey Assembly passed bill amended to expand extensively in defining which products, or ingredients, would be subject to a ban on sales to consumers younger than 18.

California authorities say predominance of retailers licensed to sell hemp are compliant with ban published effective on 3 October through emergency regulation. But hemp industry’s contesting the regulation in state court, arguing state authorities inappropriately used emergency action to change state law on hemp products legislature passed in 2021.

Congress will be on Capitol Hill briefly after 5 November elections before current session ends. It hasn’t prioritized re-authorizing 2018 farm bill, which de-scheduled hemp as a controlled substance. Until changes come through farm bill re-authorization or other legislation, federal definition of lawful hemp will remain any part of the cannabis plant containing no more than 0.3% concentration of delta-9 THC.

Council for Responsible Nutrition contends New Jersey bill, which Assembly Health Committee amended with substantial language to make restrictions more stringent on 23 September, is targeted as inaccurately as restrictions in New York effective in April.

Joint letter on scheduling for proceedings before a trial CRN’s attorneys and state AG’s office recently submitted in New York federal court includes, among other information, a statement that both the trade group and the state anticipate a settlement could be reached.