Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Wednesday made it illegal to sell 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a compound found in some kratom products, by classifying it as a Schedule I controlled substance in the state.
Why it matters: The announcement makes Florida the first state to ban this concentrated kratom byproduct, which acts like an opioid and has been dubbed "legal morphine" by researchers.
Cottontail rabbits in Colorado have been spotted with "wart-like" growths on their faces. But don't worry — they're OK.
Why it matters: The viral infection causing the horn-like growth spurts can come from ticks, according to public officials, which is yet another sign of this summer's unusually "out of control" tick season.
The percentage of U.S. adults consuming alcohol has hit a new low, according to Gallup data released Wednesday.
The big picture: The share of Americans who say that drinking in moderation is detrimental to one's health hitting a historic high, a belief that's echoed by recent scientific research.
Twelve states are seeing higher positivity rates for COVID-19 tests compared to the rest of the country, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Why it matters: Positivity rates are popping off as the "stratus" COVID variant surges throughout the country
President Trump is opening the door to reclassifying marijuana, potentially allowing the GOP to claim another health issue that's long been associated with Democrats.
Why it matters: The administration has already flipped the political script when it comes to banning food dyes, calling for an end to animal lab testing and embracing psychedelics for mental health.
Prominent MAGA leaders are urging President Trump to back off his plans to review federal restrictions on marijuana, warning of a one-way ticket to societal ruin.
Why it matters: Reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug would open the door to expanded research and deliver a major boost to the legal cannabis industry, which is currently constrained by a patchwork of state laws.
The number of New York City office workers actually going to those offices is now higher than pre-pandemic levels — the first time that's happened since COVID hit, according to a new analysis.
Why it matters: It's an I-told-you-so moment for those who rejected the once-dire predictions that the pandemic would change New York — and the way people work — forever.
Mexico extradited 26 suspected high-ranking drug traffickers to the U.S. on Tuesday — including several linked to groups the Trump administration has designated as global terrorist organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel, per the Department of Justice.
The big picture: The extraditions come after months of pressure from President Trump, who has threatened to hit Mexico with hefty tariffs if Mexican officials don't do enough to stop the flow of drugs.
The first challenge to same-sex marriage since the Supreme Court enshrined the right a decade ago comes before a very different mix of justices, LGBTQ+ advocates said.
The big picture: Legal experts believe the court is highly unlikely to hear the casebecause unwinding protections for same-sex marriage after so many years would be incredibly complicated.
A Texas woman sued a prominent abortion pill supplier and a former sexual partner, alleging he laced a drink with medication that he obtained from the service, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court.
The big picture: Anti-abortion attorneys general have targeted telemedicine service providers that send abortion pills to patients with the protection of "shield laws," like Aid Access, the Austrian-based group named in the lawsuit.
Women who reported being stalked or who obtained a restraining order were likelier to experience a heart attack or stroke over the ensuing 20 years than those who didn't report such events, according to new research.
Why it matters: About 1 in 3 women have been stalked at some point in their lives but the connection with cardiovascular disease is poorly understood and has implications for heart health later in life.
The nationwide shortage of critical intravenous saline fluid triggered by Hurricane Helene is over, though some other injectable solutions remain in shortage almost a year after the storm, the Food and Drug Administration said.
Why it matters: The storm sent shudders through the health supply chain when it ravaged a huge Baxter International plant in North Carolina that makes IV fluids for many U.S. hospitals.
America's doctors are working harder and getting paid less. And that could soon translate into less access for some patients.
The big picture: A new report from consultancy Kaufman Hall shows primary care physicians and specialists are delivering more services since the pandemic. But they're not making more money because of stagnant reimbursements from public and private insurers and inflation.
Gut health, a popular topic in wellness circles for years, is now the latest frontier in baby products.
Why it matters: Most U.S. babies lack key gut bacteria, per new research, fueling a boom in new prebiotic and probiotic products — and fresh parental confusion.
