Drugs
Massachusetts Voters Weighed in on 5 Ballot Questions. Here’s What They Chose.
Voters approved a ballot measure to eliminate the MCAS exam as a high school graduation requirement but rejected pushes to legalize psychedelics and raise the minimum wage for tipped workers. The election also saw votes in favor of expanding the state auditor’s power to investigate the state legislature and allowing rideshare drivers to unionize.
Canadian Biotech Company to Supply MDMA for McLean Hospital Clinical Trial
Toronto-based MDMA manufacturer PharmAla Biotech signed a contract to supply researchers at McLean Hospital, an HMS-affiliated psychiatric teaching hospital, with the drug for a pending clinical trial, PharmAla announced in a Oct. 2 press release.
HMS Researchers Introduce AI Tool for Drug Repurposing
Harvard Medical School associate professor Marinka Zitnik and her lab announced the development of TxGNN, an artificial intelligence model which is able to suggest new treatment applications of existing drugs using neural networks.
Cambridge’s Weed Policy Prioritized Social Justice. Some Dispensary Owners Say It’s Left Them High and Dry.
Since legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use in 2018, Massachusetts has seen nearly $6 billion in recreational marijuana sales. But to some, Cambridge has failed to capitalize on this momentum.
Scammers Sold Fake CBD Gummies on Harvard Website, Snopes Reports
Scammers exploited a Harvard website in a ploy to sell “miracle” CBD and keto gummies, a Snopes investigation revealed on March 27.
Author Mike Jay Talks Religious and Scientific Perspectives on Psychedelics at Div School Webinar
Author and cultural historian Mike Jay discussed the role of psychedelics as a bridge between science and spirituality at a Monday webinar hosted by the Harvard Divinity School’s Center for the Study of World Religions.
Michael Pollan Talks Future of Psychedelics Research at Harvard Mahindra Humanities Center
Author Michael K. Pollan, a Harvard lecturer in English and professor of the practice in non-fiction, spoke about the future of research into the societal and cultural aspects of psychedelics during a Mahindra Humanities Center talk on Wednesday.
In Late 90s, Harvard Moved Toward ‘No Tolerance’ Smoking and Drinking Policies
Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis ’68 and Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III released a 16-clause statement outlining a strengthened alcohol policy on Oct. 22, 1997, leading to radical changes to Harvard’s alcohol and smoking rules in the late 1990s.
Experts Discuss Psychedelics Policy in the Global North at Harvard Law School Webinar
The Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation at Harvard Law School’s Petrie-Flom Center hosted a virtual panel on psychedelics in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on Monday.
Legal Experts Discuss Regulation of Cannabis and Psychedelics at Petrie-Flom Center
A panel of legal experts discussed lessons the psychedelics industry can learn from the history of U.S. cannabis policy during a virtual event hosted by Harvard Law School’s Petrie-Flom Center.
Boston Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Fentanyl, Cocaine Delivered to Harvard Biology Lab
A Boston man was sentenced on Oct. 5 to 10 years in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine — some of which was delivered to a Harvard biology lab.
‘This Is Our Fight Against Cancer’: Researchers Find HIV Drug Promising for Cancer Treatment
Harvard researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that lamivudine, a commonly used drug for HIV treatment, showed promise in combating metastatic colorectal cancer.
Legal and Medical Experts Discuss Alternative Approaches for Aiding Families Struggling With Substance Abuse
Legal and medical experts discussed how to support families struggling with substance abuse in a Tuesday virtual panel jointly hosted by Massachusetts General Hospital's Center for Law, Brain, and Behavior and Harvard Law School's Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics.
Jason B. Silverstein
Jason B. Silverstein is a lecturer at Harvard Medical School who has studied and written about opioid use. He advocates for harm reduction measures such as making Narcan available in public places.
Fahedur Fahed
Fahedur Fahed '22 has volunteered at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter for eight years. Fahed carries Narcan with him so that he is prepared to respond to overdoses.
