Legal and Political News

We’re definitely living in the future. Police in Novato, California ended a six-hour standoff by delivering a vape pen to the suspect using a robot. What? The incident started when 40-year-old Juan Roman became angry over problems with the gas pump at a convenience store. He then walked in and …

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon almost ended up with a job hawking Juul e-cigarettes, according to a report from The Daily Beast. Juul, which has been the target of intense media criticism and raids by the FDA, is the world’s largest seller of e-cigarettes. Since Juul Labs launched …

A new agriculture bill passed by Congress on Wednesday will make hemp completely legal at the federal level in the United States if it is signed into law. This law would remove all of that ambiguity and make CBD completely legal throughout the United States. How does that affect you? Consumers …

Altria is in talks with Juul Labs to acquire a minority stake in the e-cigarette company Altria’s stock has declined 20% over the past year, but increased 2% following the announcement Juul Labs has been the subject of an FDA investigation and media controversy over their marketing campaigns, which may …

There are millions of voters in four different states who are going to decide whether to legalize marijuana or expand access to legal marijuana on this upcoming election day. By the time the polls close on Tuesday night, two more states could potentially have passed fully legal recreational marijuana. This …

Altria has been under pressure from the FDA and the general public in reaction to the so-called “teen vaping epidemic“. In response to the growing criticism, the tobacco giant has agreed to pull some of their most popular e-cigarette brands from the market because they appeal to kids. What did …

On October 11th, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to Chinese vape product manufacturer, HelloCig, about the contents of their products. HelloCig has 15 days to respond to the letter. If not, they face further action “such as seizure or injunction,” the agency claims. USA Today first …

This week, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) made a big decision for cannabis product manufacturers and retailers. The state board banned cannabis infused gummies, hard candies, and other brightly colored, sweet products. Retailers can sell their current inventory until gone, or must remove it from shelves in …

Last Friday, the FDA made a surprise visit to Juul Labs headquarters in California, multiple outlets report. The agency seized over one thousand documents. They were interested in examining the pen vape company’s marketing processes in the wake of ‘epidemic’ teen use. The FDA’s concern stems largely from what the …

Tobacco retailers in San Antonio, Texas prepare for a new city ordinance effective October 1st. Starting next week, the legal age to purchase tobacco products goes from 18 years up to 21, local press reports. The ordinance is appropriately called ‘Tobacco 21.’ Under FDA classification, e-cigarettes and pod vapes, available …

Chicago may hike the city’s already absurd vape tax, The Sun Times reports. Currently, Chicago’s tax is 80 cents per vaping device or container and 55 cents per milliliter of liquid nicotine. Combined with other tobacco product sales taxes in the city, county, and state, Chicago has the highest taxes …

The Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association (SFATA) announced in a press release that it will join the North American Vapor Alliance (NAVA). These organizations, as a joint venture, will help to build and vie for a comprehensive regulatory framework for vape products across North American borders and abroad. NAVA currently is …

A research article in the journal Tobacco Control claims that almost all listings for Juul products on eBay are gone. The FDA demanded the listings removed as part of the agency’s new standards for ENDS sales. Back in April, the FDA announced it was cracking down on the sale of …

Philip Morris International’s (PMI) prominent Heat-Not-Burn device, the IQOS, may not reduce harm enough to be considered for MRTP status by the FDA, Reuters reports. PMI submitted their own research data to the FDA for review earlier this year. The tobacco company sought for their I-Quit-Ordinary-Smoking (IQOS) device to earn …

Tuesday, The FDA launched an anti-vaping campaign similar to the all-too-familiar anti-smoking campaigns of old. ‘The Real Cost’ is the long-standing tobacco awareness program by the federal agency. But, as of this week, their materials include targeted messages about the dangers of vapes as well. The agency uses a browser-based …

The state of New Jersey recently changed medical cannabis legislation for the better, local reports announced. The state now allows dispensaries to carry THC vape cartridges previously outlawed. Dispensaries were previously only authorized to sell topical applications, cannabis flower, and oral lozenges. Since the waiver, two providers have already applied …

Cannabidiol supplements have been on the market for a number of years now. The supplement has taken various forms: oils, tinctures, edibles, and even lotions and other topical applications. The CBD trend rises the more research suggests that this non-psychoactive cannabis component counters struggles like anxiety and depression. CBD is …

Canada will legalize retail cannabis sale on October 17th this year. Our neighbor to the north is the first developed nation to have such lax cannabis laws. The industry is projected to boom over the coming years following their decision. As such, many have flocked to the already growing private …

On Wednesday, The FDA announced its most bold and stringent regulatory actions to date for the vape industry. The agency released an official statement on their website, much of which echoed sentiments made by commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, in a speech the same day. The speech is also available on the …

Recent survey data suggest a rise in the proportion of Americans who believe e-cigarettes are as or more dangerous than combustible cigarettes. Two separate surveys conducted show similar results in the US perception of e-cigarettes and nicotine in general. The perception among those surveyed is largely negative. Let’s Go to …

The FDA is being criticized for its seemingly null progress on revised tobacco and nicotine regulations announced a year ago. In a scathing editorial by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Michelle Minton called out “the agency’s own cumbersome product approval process” as the biggest reason their regulatory efforts have failed. When …

In what might be the biggest robbery fail in human history, a man tried to rob an Aurora, CO vape shop at gunpoint. Things didn’t go exactly the way he planned, however. As soon as he pulled out his gun (which was later determined to be an airsoft pellet gun) after …

This week, Business Wire reported that the American E-Liquid Manufacturing Standards Association (AEMSA) and the Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) announced a combined effort to revamp vape e-liquid regulatory standards and practices. They dubbed the joint venture the North American Vapor Alliance (NAVA). AEMSA President Scott Eley and CVA President Shaun …

CBD products are available in stores and online in most states across the US. CBD is offered in vape juices and edibles for sufferers of myriad problems, including anxiety, depression, and even epilepsy. This year, the FDA approved the first CBD medication for rare forms of epilepsy in children. Even …

Local governments all over the US have been drawing up legislation on vapes the last few years. Most laws are restrictive and precautious. Communities worry about their kids; businesses worry about vape clouds filling the rooms. One Montana county responded to the vaping trend with a progressive approach to its …

The CDC released its findings after conducting surprise inspections of 59 vape shops in late 2016. Inspections looked at retail and manufacturing practices and whether businesses knew of and followed FDA regulations. Only one business was a standalone manufacturer; 31 other businesses inspected were retailers and 27 had some mix …

Earlier this month, Juul Labs announced a new model of their flagship pod vape device, complete with bluetooth connectivity and electronic security measures. Due to restrictive new FDA oversight on ENDS being introduced to the US market, Juul initially opted to test the device in more lax European Markets, and …

Last week, FDA Director Scott Gottlieb announced seventeen different vape juice companies will stop selling flavors the agency was worried were ‘kid-friendly.’ The decision comes after warning letters the FDA issued to businesses earlier this year. The director acknowledged the agency’s support of vaping for adult users, saying instead their …

A new cannabis-oriented business is coming to Denver, Colorado this fall, local news outlets report. Taylor Rosean and Megan Lumpkins recently announced their business, Vape and Play, was approved for a social consumption license. The vape lounge anticipates opening in November, having rented and renovated an old auto parts store …

Media outlets continue to report on the so-called epidemic that is teen vaping. Even we covered it this year. It seems clandestine vaping in schools has gotten so out of control, a company developed technology to detect and alert school administration of vaping on the premises, among other increasing problems …