SHOULD LEGAL MARIJUANA HAVE A WARNING LABEL?

For millions of Americans April 20, or 4/20 is a national holiday intended to celebrate a drug that remains illegal at the Federal level in the U.S. At the State level, it is a totally different story. Almost 90% of Americans (approximately 300 million of us) live in states where marijuana is legal for either recreational or medical use. Eighteen states plus the District of Columbia allow recreational pot use while 36 states allow its medical use. Let me be very clear: I am not here to politicize or moralize about whether or not marijuana should be legal either in selected states or throughout the country. This point may soon be moot because the Biden Administration, along with the Democratic Congressional leadership, have already signaled support for the decriminalization of marijuana. However, as The Warnings Doctor, it is my professional duty to be concerned about and make consumers aware of possible "hidden hazards" they may confront with the products we buy and/or use, and to advocate for warnings on or with those products so that consumers can make informed choices when they are buying or using said products. Such is the case with marijuana.

When we buy a box of cereal, we are now told all of the ingredients in the cereal, along with the amounts of those ingredients. For example, a 1/2 cup serving of Grape Nuts has 5 grams (a little more than a teaspoon) of sugar and 6 grams of protein, along with 7 grams of dietary fiber (about 1/4 of what we need, on average, in a typical day). 

When we buy a bottle of wine, not only are we told its vintage and alcohol volume, but also there is a warning label advising pregnant women, drivers and machine operators not to drink the product while pregnant, driving or working. 

And, of course, we all know that cigarettes have had a Surgeon General's warning since the 1960's. Not only are marijuana products devoid of any such warnings, at the Federal level, at least, the agency most likely to provide guidance about such warnings, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has their hands tied because, under Title 21, Section 811 of the US Code, marijuana is still considered a controlled substance. As long as pot is illegal at the Federal level, the FDA can't provide or enforce regulations that might actually keep us safe if we consume it.


What would those regulations, and subsequent warnings, if needed, look like? Consider that if you are stopped by a police officer for driving under the influence, the officer can administer a breathalyzer to you, and in most states, if your blood alcohol level (BAC) exceeds .08, you can be charged for driving while intoxicated. This determination is based upon science, research, regulations, etc. We know that drivers are more likely to get into accidents if their BAC exceeds .08, and we have a measuring system available (a breathalyzer) to accurately determine your level. Let's substitute weed for alcohol. You are still stopped by a police officer, perhaps because you were weaving while driving. There is no equivalent to a breathalyzer, and even if there were, what would it be measuring and what would be the maximum tolerable limits of whatever the substance(s) being measured turned out to be? The truth is that we don't have answers to these questions, thus leaving the police officer to make a totally subjective decision, a decision that could vary from officer to officer and present a nightmare for prosecutors to make their case in court.


The questions facing a puzzled police officer are the same questions we all must face as marijuana becomes legalized throughout the U.S.: How much pot does it take to get someone stoned? Does this vary by age, height, weight, ingestion of other foods or beverages, amount of sleep deprivation, ingestion and interaction with other chemicals (legal or otherwise), etc. And, if you are stoned, should there be restrictions placed on your behavior, such as driving, going to classes or work, swimming, using any machinery or engaging in other recreational activities? Putting aside the myriad of behavioral norms and rules a nanny pot state may impose (if they could), what about warnings related to the actual ingredients and amounts of those ingredients present in your pot-infused products? Why should you be required to know the amount of sugar present in your gummy bears but not have a clue as to the amount of THC (the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis) in those same candies? Shouldn't you know the expected effect the amount of THC in your gummy bears might produce (and how long it will typically take both for these effects to be realized and to last)? If you are required to know the number of carbs in your muffins, shouldn't the amount of THC be labeled in those same muffins (or space cakes)? I find it totally ironic that the same consumers who are demanding to know the ingredients and nutritional values of their food products, not to mention if they are GMO or Gluten-free, are not storming the FDA with similar demands for all pot products.


In fairness, many states have instituted their own packaging and labeling requirements, some more restrictive than others. For example, Arizona's only labeling requirement is that the packaging be child resistant, while Alaska requires not only the labeling of the amount of THC in the product but also a series of warnings even more detailed and restrictive than alcohol warnings, highlighting marijuana's intoxicating, habit forming and addictive effects, its impairment of judgment, potential health risks and the need to avoid driving or its use if pregnant. The main concern is that there is no uniform set of rules, guidelines and warnings for all states to follow, thus leaving consumers to make their own decisions without serious scientifically-based warnings to help guide those decisions. If there are, as I believe, hidden hazards present with the consumption of pot products without proper labeling or instructions, we consumers will not be able to make informed choices about whether to buy or how to safely use such products. Happy 4/20 Day!

MAHA OR MASA? WHEN HEALTH POLICY LEAVES SCIENCE BEHIND

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • October 20, 2026
“Make America Healthy Again” is an appealing slogan. Who could oppose it? But slogans are not evidence, and good intentions are not a substitute for science. The question Americans should be asking is whether the policies associated with the MAHA movement are actually making Americans healthier—or whether some are moving public health in the opposite direction.

WHEN WARNING LABELS BECOME THE WARNING

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • September 30, 2026
We live in an age of warning labels. They are on ladders, coffee cups, toys, appliances, medications, clothing, furniture and virtually anything else we might buy. Some warnings are essential. Others are so obvious that they have become the stuff of comedy. We have all seen examples: a label on a cup warning that its contents may be hot. A hair dryer carrying a warning not to use it while sleeping. A package of peanuts warning that it contains peanuts. A chainsaw instruction manual cautioning users not to stop the blade with their hands. A Halloween costume warning that it is not fire-resistant. A label on an iron reminding us that the appliance becomes hot when turned on. Then there are warnings that seem to state the painfully obvious: “Do not put your fingers in the fan.” “Do not use a knife to cut yourself.” “This product is not intended to be eaten.” One particularly famous example involved a child’s Superman costume warning that it does not enable the wearer to fly. These warnings can be funny, but they raise a serious question: What happens when consumers become accustomed to treating warnings as jokes? The purpose of a warning is to interrupt ordinary behavior. It is supposed to make us stop, pay attention and recognize a danger that we might otherwise overlook. But if consumers encounter dozens of warnings every day—many concerning hazards that are already obvious—the warning itself can begin to lose its power. Think about the difference between two warnings. The first says: “Caution: Contents hot.” The second says: “This medication can cause potentially dangerous interactions with certain commonly used drugs. Consult a physician or pharmacist before taking it.” The first identifies a hazard virtually everyone understands. (The exception, however, is McDonald’s coffee which exceeds industry norms and is extremely hot, beyond what the average consumer would expect) The second communicates information that many consumers could not possibly know without being told. Yet both may appear in the same visual universe of labels, boxes, inserts and fine print. That creates what might be called warning fatigue . When people repeatedly encounter warnings that seem ridiculous or unnecessary, they may develop the habit of ignoring warnings altogether. The consumer learns, consciously or unconsciously, that “warning” often means “something obvious that lawyers wanted printed on the package.” That is a problem when the next warning really matters. 

FOREVER CHEMICALS IN YOUR MAKEUP BAG: THE HIDDEN DANGER OF PFAS IN COSMETICS

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • August 10, 2026
You probably don't think twice about your morning routine—a swipe of foundation, a coat of mascara, maybe some lipstick before heading out the door. But lurking in many of these everyday products is a class of synthetic chemicals that scientists call "forever chemicals," and their presence in cosmetics has become impossible to ignore.

A PREVENTABLE CRISIS: THE U.S. MEASLES SURGE AND THE COST OF ANTI-SCIENCE LEADERSHIP

By Ann K. • July 13, 2026
A Grim Milestone for American Public Health We are facing a public health emergency that was entirely preventable. According to updated data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States has recorded 2,170 confirmed measles cases in 2026—and we are only halfway through the year. This staggering figure nearly matches the 2,289 cases recorded across the entirety of 2025, representing a measles crisis on a scale this country has not seen in over three decades. Measles was declared officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, thanks to robust and widespread uptake of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Today, that monumental achievement is on the verge of being permanently erased.

WARNING LABELS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA: PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN IN THE DIGITAL AGE

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • June 15, 2026
For decades, Americans have relied on warning labels to alert consumers to hidden dangers. Cigarette packages warn of cancer. Alcohol labels caution pregnant women. Medications disclose side effects. Yet one of the most powerful and potentially addictive products used by millions of children every day carries virtually no warning at all: social media. In 2024, as I wrote in the September, 2024 issue of this newsletter, then-U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called on Congress to require cigarette-style warning labels on social media platforms, arguing that parents and children deserve to know that excessive use has been linked to anxiety, depression, body image problems, sleep disruption, and other mental health concerns. He stated that social media had become an important contributor to the youth mental health crisis and that warning labels could help increase awareness among families. Unfortunately, that proposal has stalled under the new administration. The opportunity to provide parents with basic health information appears to have been abandoned just as evidence of social media's harmful effects continues to mount.

WARNING: USING AI FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSES MAY BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • April 30, 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of healthcare, particularly in the realm of medical diagnosis. From analyzing medical images to predicting disease risk, AI-driven tools are increasingly being integrated into clinical workflows. While the potential benefits are substantial—improved accuracy, faster diagnoses, and expanded access to care—there are also meaningful risks that warrant careful scrutiny. Understanding both sides is essential for clinicians, policymakers, and patients alike.

LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: A GROWING FIRE RISK IN OUR HOMES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • March 31, 2026
Lithium-ion batteries power much of modern life. From smartphones and laptops to e-bikes, power tools, and even home energy storage systems, these compact and efficient batteries are everywhere. But as their use has expanded, so too has a serious and often underestimated danger: the risk of fire. Lithium-ion battery fires are not like typical household fires. They burn hotter, spread faster, and can reignite even after appearing to be extinguished. These fires are caused by a process known as “thermal runaway,” where damage, overheating, or internal defects trigger a chain reaction inside the battery. Once this process begins, it can release flammable gases, cause explosions, and produce intense flames that are difficult to control.

WARNING: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S EPA IS DISMANTLING REGULATIONS PROTECTING US FROM PFAS, PUTTING OUR LIVES AT RISK

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • February 27, 2026
1. Weakening National Drinking Water Standards  In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first federally enforceable National Primary Drinking Water Rule (NPDWR) for six PFAS, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), PFBS, and mixtures of these chemicals. These rules established maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and required monitoring and treatment timelines for public water systems. Under Trump's EPA, this landmark public health rule is being undone :

THE SILENT WINTER THREAT: CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DURING STORMS AND POWER OUTAGES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • January 27, 2026
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere brings cold weather, snow, and often severe storms. These conditions can lead to power outages that last hours or even days. When electricity is lost and temperatures plummet, many households turn to alternative heating methods or portable power generators. While these actions are understandable, they can expose families to a perilous and often invisible threat: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning . 

HOLIDAY FOOD SAFETY: PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM SALMONELLA & LISTERIA THIS THANKSGIVING

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • November 24, 2025
As Thanksgiving approaches, kitchens across the country are about to come alive with the sounds and smells of holiday cooking. While this season brings family, gratitude, and plenty of delicious food, it also comes with a serious and often overlooked risk: foodborne illness. In the U.S., Salmonella and Listeria remain two of the most dangerous and persistent causes of food poisoning—especially during the holidays, when increased food preparation, crowded refrigerators, and large holiday meals create ideal conditions for bacterial growth.Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner or you’re a seasoned holiday chef, brushing up on a few key food safety practices can help you keep your loved ones healthy and your celebration memorable for all the right reasons.
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