Last Updated on June 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Carey S. Cadieux, Binghamton University, State University of New York

When the U.S. Department of Justice moved to reclassify medical marijuana to a Schedule III drug on April 23, 2026, it set the stage for a vast amount of medical research that has been hobbled for decades by its more restrictive Schedule I classification.

The Justice Department also called for an expedited federal rescheduling process, with proceedings expected to begin in late June 2026, but for now cannabis at the federal level remains a Schedule I drug.

I’m an associate professor of nursing and I edited a textbook for nurses about providing care with cannabis. Cannabis is the umbrella term for the plant genus that includes both marijuana and hemp – two varieties of the same plant distinguished primarily by their content of THC, one of the active components of cannabis.

Moving cannabis to a Schedule III drug ushers in the end of the cannabis prohibition era and the beginning of the regulation era, potentially creating promising opportunities around research and new therapeutics.

How are drugs regulated by ‘schedule’?

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 categorizes all substances regulated under existing federal law into one of five schedules. The act regulates the manufacturing, importation, possession, use and distribution of substances on each schedule.

Several factors determine schedule placement, including the drug’s medical use, scientific evidence of its benefits and pharmacological effects, patterns and history of abuse, public health risk level, degree of physical or psychological addiction potential, and whether the drug can be used to make another controlled substance.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s rescheduling of marijuana will move it from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, defined as having a high risk for abuse and no accepted medical use, to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act. While still tightly regulated, Schedule III drugs are considered to have moderate to low risk for physical and psychological dependence and to have some medical benefits.

Other Schedule I drugs include heroin, psilocybin, LSD, peyote and MDMA, or ecstasy. These drugs cannot be dispensed or prescribed, with some exceptions. Current Schedule III drugs include ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone, products with less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit and some cannabinoids.

The move to reclassify medical marijuana products as Schedule III drugs applies only to those products certified by state-level medical cannabis programs. All other cannabis products remain a federal Schedule I drug, including those available from states’ recreational cannabis programs.

Impacts of cannabis reclassification

This legal order acknowledges that medical marijuana has some medical value and asserts that it has a lower potential for abuse than under the previous Schedule I classification.

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The reclassification also ensures that state-registered medical cannabis patients continue to be permitted to purchase medical cannabis products without changes to their current certification or recommendation.

One of the challenges with this new law is that states have not standardized medical cannabis regulations, and each state will have its own quality and testing standards. In Maine, for instance, medical cannabis is not tested for molds, fungus, heavy metals or pesticides, while recreational cannabis is.

This means that the Schedule III medical cannabis in Maine could be contaminated, while the state’s testing of recreational cannabis makes it much safer to consume.

What are the implications for marijuana research?

For decades, researchers have struggled to conduct high-quality research studies due to their lack of access to the cannabis products that patients actually use and restrictions on their processes.

With the reclassification, researchers who are registered with the DEA to research cannabis will be able to obtain cannabis flower and plant material, as well as manufactured cannabis products, such as tinctures and edibles, directly from state-licensed businesses that are DEA-registered.

This means researchers will no longer need to rely on the federal DEA registry for access to cannabis products for research, which were often inferior in quality and variety in comparison to the everyday products medical cannabis patients typically have access to. Instead, they will be able to study cannabis products that patients use in daily life, such as vapes and various edible products.

This shift in access will now allow researchers to undertake the gold standard of research approaches: the randomized controlled trial.

Randomized controlled trials will help researchers like my colleagues determine how effective cannabis is in treating people with complex medical needs. This includes patients who experience nausea and pain while undergoing cancer treatments, multiple sclerosis patients with severe muscle spasm and stiffness, and chronic pain patients who strive to find relief without using opioids.

Might rescheduling send mixed signals?

Rescheduling may lead people to believe that cannabis is safe for all people to consume.

However, a growing body of research points to possible adverse effects from cannabis use, particularly in vulnerable groups, such as people who are pregnant, adolescents, people with preexisting mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or psychosis, and those with cardiac issues.

Cannabis can also lead to adverse drug interactions. Therefore, medical patients should use it with discretion and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

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For most medical cannabis patients, THC doses should start low and gradually be increased.

Rescheduling will be a big step toward helping researchers build a greatly needed solid body of evidence around both the benefits and potential harms of cannabis. But rescheduling should not be interpreted as a signal that cannabis is harmless.

Carey S. Cadieux, Associate Professor of Nursing, Binghamton University, State University of New York

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Last Updated on May 30, 2026 by Rod Washington

Health officials across the United States are continuing to monitor widespread norovirus activity as outbreaks have been reported in schools, healthcare facilities, cruise ships, restaurants, and community settings nationwide.

Norovirus Outbreaks 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1,190 norovirus outbreaks were reported by participating states between August 2025 and early May 2026. The CDC says the virus remains active in several regions, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, while cases continue appearing in parts of California and other western states.

Norovirus, often called the “stomach flu” or “winter vomiting bug,” is one of the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. The virus spreads rapidly through contaminated food, water, surfaces, and close contact with infected individuals.

Recent outbreaks aboard cruise ships have also gained national attention. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program has tracked multiple gastrointestinal illness outbreaks this year, including incidents involving large numbers of passengers and crew members becoming ill during voyages.

Health experts say symptoms typically appear within 12 to 48 hours after exposure and commonly include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Fever and body aches

Most people recover within one to three days, but dehydration can become serious, especially for children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Officials continue emphasizing prevention measures as the best defense against infection. Recommended precautions include washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, disinfecting contaminated surfaces with bleach-based cleaners, properly washing produce, and avoiding food preparation while sick.

Medical experts also note that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are generally less effective against norovirus than traditional handwashing.

While current activity has raised concerns due to the number of outbreaks being reported nationwide, health agencies say norovirus outbreaks remain a seasonal and recurring public health issue rather than a pandemic-level event.

The CDC continues tracking outbreak trends through its NoroSTAT and CaliciNet surveillance systems as health departments nationwide monitor additional cases heading into the summer travel season.

For more public health and breaking news updates, visit STM Daily News.

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Sources: CDC Norovirus Updates | CDC NoroSTAT Data Dashboard | CDC Cruise Ship Outbreak Reports

(CDC)

Last Updated on May 6, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Second Nature Brands has issued a voluntary recall for certain 10-ounce pouches of SECOND NATURE KETO CRUNCH SMART MIX™ after discovering the product may contain undeclared cashews, pistachios, and cherries. For anyone with allergies or severe sensitivities—especially to tree nuts like cashews and pistachios—this is a serious safety issue.

The company says the affected product was distributed nationwide, both in retail stores and through online orders.

Why this matters

Undeclared allergens are one of the most urgent types of food safety alerts because consumers rely on labels to avoid ingredients that can trigger reactions. Second Nature Brands warns that people with allergies or severe sensitivity to cashews, pistachios, other tree nuts, or cherries could face serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the recalled product.

As of the announcement, no illnesses have been reported.

How to identify the recalled product

Check your pantry (and any recent online snack orders) for the following details:

• Product: SECOND NATURE KETO CRUNCH SMART MIX™
• Size: 10-ounce pouch
• UPC: 077034013405
• Best if used by date: 2/12/2027 (printed on the backside of the pouch)

Only pouches with the “Best if used by 2/12/2027” date are included. Other Best if used by dates are not affected, according to the company.

What happened

Second Nature Brands says the recall began after it was discovered that product containing cashews, pistachios, and cherries was placed into packaging that did not disclose those allergens. The company reports that a follow-up investigation indicates the issue was caused by a temporary breakdown in production and packaging processes.

The recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What consumers should do right now

If you have the affected product:

1. Do not consume it.
2. Keep the pouch (and take a photo of the UPC and Best if used by date if helpful).
3. Contact Second Nature Brands for a full refund.

Contact information for refunds and questions

Second Nature Brands says consumers can reach them by phone or email:

• Phone: +1.800.651.7263
  • Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM ET
  • Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ET
• Email: recall@secondnaturebrandsus.com

Health & fitness note: “Keto” doesn’t equal “risk-free”

Keto-friendly snacks can be convenient for people managing carbs, training schedules, or busy workdays—but this alert is a reminder that label accuracy is non-negotiable, especially for anyone balancing nutrition goals with medical dietary restrictions.

If you or someone in your household has a tree nut or cherry allergy, consider doing a quick sweep of:

• Snack drawers at home and work
• Gym bags and travel kits
• Recent bulk orders or subscription deliveries

Bottom line

If you have a 10-ounce pouch of SECOND NATURE KETO CRUNCH SMART MIX™ with UPC 077034013405 and Best if used by 2/12/2027, do not eat it. Contact Second Nature Brands for a refund and share the alert with anyone who may have purchased the product—especially those with tree nut or cherry allergies.

Source

• PRNewswire (May 1, 2026): Second Nature Brands issues allergy alert on undeclared cashews, pistachios, and cherries in Keto Crunch Smart Mix

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