Health and Medicine
6.1 Marijuana Legalization
On the matter of reviewing marijuana’s classification as a schedule 1 drug, it is now time the federal government legalizes medical and recreational use of marijuana. Marijuana legalization provides numerous benefits, which Congress might want to consider in the debate. From a health perspective, it is prime time the federal government legalizes medical marijuana. Healthcare professionals allude that medical cannabis helps patients to cope with debilitating physical or mental pain. For instance, cannabidiol oil is more effective in controlling pain and seizures than any approved product in the market. Also, healthcare providers feel that this will be a significant migration into new territories in treatment regimes. Thus, policymakers need to perform a comprehensive analysis of cannabis to inform the debate appropriately.
Nevertheless, the debate is not entirely about medical marijuana. Economically, the nation can advance its fiscal position by opening a new pathway for revenue. Currently, federal prohibition diverts a lot of money that would enhance the economy into some dangerous and improper hands. The review of marijuana from a schedule 1 drug indeed is an appropriate avenue for taxation and a market for creative entrepreneurship. Clearly, marijuana legalization, with its competitive market position, will enhance the revenue besides creating new employment opportunities.
Environmentally and agriculturally, the cultivation of cannabis is sustainable, and the crop is incredibly resourceful. Scientific research reveals that hemp can be used to manufacture thousands of products. Besides, the crop is grows quickly and can be cultivated almost anywhere. By cultivating this product, the United States will open up a new import/export avenue.
Finally, the debate on marijuana legalization invites all of us to become more open-minded. This is the starting point. Numerous surveys and evidence are critical to inform the position of marijuana legalization. However, i am convinced that this is the perfect opportunity for Congress to review the classification of marijuana as a schedule 1 drug.
6.2 Direct to Consumer Advertisement
Many industries no longer consider the internet and social media as developing trends, but as essential tools for marketing their brands. However, the pharmaceutical and medical device industry has been sluggish to integrate new media opportunities in their marketing strategies mainly because of the grey area on appropriate promotion and marketing parameters for health products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates this industry and provides guidelines on the use of the internet and social media in marketing, albeit without formal policy. Due to the lack of clear regulations, the context of FDA’s optimistic internet and social media policies is vague, leaving many unanswered questions for the pharmaceutical and medical device sector.
Since announcing that it would regulate the promotion of medical products on social media and the internet in 2009, the FDA has tackled some of the impediments, including regulatory requirements for medical devices, regulated prescription medicine, and post-marketing submissions. Warning letters and guidance documents are some initiatives the agency can utilize to regulate direct to consumer advertising on social media. The guidance documents are considered recommendations on particular topics. The agency can draft a series of guidance documents for players on stipulated practice. Similarly, the agency can use regulatory letters to regulate the industry. They include warning letters and notices of violation for companies about inappropriate activity on social media and the internet. Although an informal correspondence, these letters are official and may comprise enforcement actions if the highlighted violations are not promptly resolved.
Arguably, the guidance document and regulatory letters are effective approaches for providing insights into pharmaceutical and medical devices advertisements on new media platforms. FDA’s new regulations on social media and internet use are consistent with the standards of traditional marketing media that demand players to provide balanced and accurately presented information besides being wary of overstating efficacy, omitting risks, suggesting off-label indications, and making invalidated claims.