Lifestyle
Reclassification of marijuana opens doors for much‑needed medical research into the benefits and risks of the drug
The DOJ’s move to reclassify medical marijuana as Schedule III could unlock long-blocked cannabis research—while raising new questions about safety, regulation, and risk.
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.
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.
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.
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
pets
Freshpet becomes first dog food brand to earn Clean Label Project certification across its full portfolio
Last Updated on May 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Freshpet just landed a big third-party credibility boost in the pet food aisle.
In a Feb. 12 announcement, Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT) said its entire U.S. and Canadian product line has earned Clean Label Project™ Certification and the nonprofit’s Purity Award for ingredient quality and safety. Freshpet says it’s the first and only pet food brand to earn that recognition across its full portfolio.
The Purity Award is reserved for the top third of performers in a product category, according to the release, based on independent testing for contaminants that consumers won’t see on a standard ingredient list.
What the certification tests for
Clean Label Project says its certification process involves independent lab testing for more than 100 environmental and industrial contaminants, including:
- Heavy metals: lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury
- Bisphenols (BPA, BPS)
- Phthalates (including DEHP)
- Acrylamide
- Pesticides and other environmental contaminants
Freshpet said certification of its recipes began in early 2025, and its full portfolio now meets Clean Label Project’s thresholds for heavy metals and industrial/environmental toxins.
“Twenty years ago, we set out to create a fundamentally different kind of pet food, made from real, simple ingredients and prepared in our own kitchens,” said Scott Morris, co-founder and president of Freshpet. “Clean Label Project’s Purity Award validates that belief and reinforces our commitment to raising the standard for pet food.”
New report highlights higher contaminant levels in many dry dog foods
Freshpet’s announcement follows the release of Clean Label Project’s Dog Food Category Report, which found that many popular dry dog foods contained significantly higher levels of heavy metals and industrial contaminants than fresh and frozen dog foods.
According to the release, the report looked at 79 top-selling dog foods and included more than 11,000 individual tests. In that dataset, traditional dry dog food averaged:
- 13.3 times more arsenic
- 20 times more lead and mercury
- Higher levels of DEHP and acrylamide
By contrast, Clean Label Project found that fresh and frozen dog foods—including Freshpet recipes—had the lowest heavy metal levels of any segment tested and were lower on average than the organization’s benchmark for human-consumable products across arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, acrylamide, and DEHP, the release said.
“Most pet owners assume the food they buy for their dogs is held to the same safety standards as human food, but that’s simply not true,” said Molly Hamilton, executive director of Clean Label Project. “Given that dogs often eat the same food every day, this raises important questions about long-term exposure and the need for greater transparency and stronger safety standards.”
Freshpet’s approach: refrigerated, gently cooked recipes
Freshpet’s fresh, refrigerated recipes are positioned as a less-processed alternative to traditional kibble. In the release, the company highlighted:
- Fresh, recognizable ingredients like chicken, beef, salmon, vegetables, and whole grains—without rendered meat meals or fillers
- Gentle steam-cooking rather than high-heat extrusion, which can contribute to acrylamide formation
- 20+ quality and safety tests throughout production, according to the company
“Contaminants like heavy metals and industrial chemicals do not show up on a traditional ingredient list, yet they are what many health-conscious pet parents worry about for themselves and their pets,” said Dr. Lisa Weeth, board certified veterinary nutritionist and head of veterinary research and communications at Freshpet. “Independent verification from the Clean Label Project gives veterinarians and families data to help them make informed decisions when choosing a fresh diet over conventional options.”
What to watch for (STM Daily News)
- Will other brands pursue similar third-party testing? If certifications like this become more common, it could shift how pet parents compare products beyond marketing claims.
- More scrutiny on processing methods. The report’s focus on contaminants and acrylamide may increase attention on high-heat extrusion used in many dry foods.
- Transparency becomes a differentiator. Testing for “what’s not on the label” is likely to become a bigger talking point across the pet food industry.
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
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Food and Beverage
Lifesum Survey: 90% Say Ultra-Processed Foods Are Engineered to Be Hard to Stop Eating
A new nationally representative survey from health app Lifesum suggests Americans increasingly view ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as more than a “willpower” issue. The research, based on responses from 2,000 U.S. adults, found 90% believe UPFs are intentionally engineered to be hard to stop eating—while 81% say they’ve personally felt unable to stop once they start.
Ultra-Processed Foods Under Fire: New Data Shows Regret, Loss of Control, and Calls for Regulation
The survey also points to a widespread “control and regret” loop: 67% report they’ve tried and failed to cut back on certain ultra-processed foods, and 80% say they feel regret or frustration after eating them. The findings land as UPFs remain a dominant part of the American diet—federal dietary data indicates more than half of calories consumed in the U.S. come from ultra-processed foods, and high consumption has been linked in multiple studies to higher risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Lifesum says the data reflects shifting public attitudes toward stronger oversight. In the survey, 81% support clearer warning labels on ultra-processed foods, 59% support restrictions on marketing, and 47% support regulation similar to tobacco or alcohol. The release also cites a recent report from researchers at Harvard University, the University of Michigan, and Duke University arguing that UPFs share similarities with cigarettes—such as engineered reward pathways and marketing designed to drive repeat consumption—strengthening the case for tighter regulation.
What to watch for
- Labeling momentum: With 81% backing warning labels, expect more debate over front-of-package disclosures and clearer definitions of “ultra-processed.”
- Marketing restrictions: The 59% support level signals potential policy focus on advertising practices—especially around kids and high-frequency digital targeting.
- Regulation framing shift: The 47% support for tobacco-style rules suggests UPFs may increasingly be discussed as a public health and consumer protection issue, not just nutrition advice.
- Scientific scrutiny vs. industry response: As more researchers compare UPFs to cigarettes, watch for counter-messaging from food manufacturers and lobbying around how UPFs are categorized.
- Consumer behavior tools: Demand may grow for evidence-based guidance and tracking tools (apps, labeling systems, education campaigns) that help people reduce UPF intake without relying solely on self-control.
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Lifestyle
Why the First Year Behind the Wheel is the Most Dangerous: Data Shows Teen Drivers 3 Times More Likely to be in Fatal Crash
Teen drivers are significantly at risk of fatal crashes, with those aged 16-19 being nearly three times more likely to be involved in accidents than older drivers. The first year of driving presents heightened dangers, but with proper preparation, including coaching, technology, and smart insurance, families can mitigate these risks and promote safety.
Last Updated on May 1, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Why the First Year Behind the Wheel is the Most Dangerous: Data Shows Teen Drivers 3 Times More Likely to be in Fatal Crash
(Feature Impact) The driver’s license photo may be slightly awkward, but the milestone is unforgettable. For families, a newly licensed teen means independence, busy schedules and a new set of responsibilities.
Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for U.S. teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows drivers ages 16-19 are nearly three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers 20 and older, per mile driven.
The statistics are serious, but they’re also manageable.
“With the right preparation, teen driving doesn’t have to feel overwhelming,” said Susan Irace, manager, divisional claims at Mercury Insurance. “Experience is what young drivers are building. Parents can help shorten that learning curve with structure, technology and smart coverage decisions.”
Why the First Year Matters
Federal safety data shows crash risk is highest in a teen’s first year of independent driving. Night driving, teen passengers and distracted driving increase that risk – while seat belts, graduated licensing laws and supervised practice significantly reduce it.
In 2023, more than 2,800 teens ages 13-19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide, according to the CDC. However, teen crash rates have declined over time thanks to safer vehicles, graduated driver licensing programs and greater awareness of distracted driving.
Ways to Reduce Teen Driving Risk
The experts at Mercury Insurance encourage families to focus on preparation rather than panic.
1. Coach Early and Often
- Log supervised driving time in different conditions – highways, rain, nighttime
- Create a simple written driving agreement outlining expectations
- Limit teen passengers during the first year
- Make seatbelts non-negotiable
2. Let Technology Help
- Choose vehicles with safety features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring
- Use telematics or safe-driving feedback tools to reinforce good habits
- Activate smartphone “Do Not Disturb While Driving” settings
3. Review Insurance Before the Keys Change Hands
- Add teens to your insurance policy promptly
- Revisit liability limits to protect family assets
- Ask about good student and driver training discounts
“Insurance is about preparation, not fear,” Irace said. “When families combine active coaching with the right coverage, they’re setting their teen up for safer miles ahead.”
Preparation Turns Risks into Confidence
The first solo drive is a milestone, but preparation determines what comes next. By pairing common-sense coaching with today’s vehicle safety technology and thoughtful insurance planning, families can support independence while managing risk responsibly.
For more teen driver safety tips and coverage guidance, visit MercuryInsurance.com/resources.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
