New York Paralegal Blog

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking a stand against a new wave of potentially dangerous products hitting the market: those containing high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine, or "7-OH." What is 7-OH? You might know of kratom, a plant that naturally contains small amounts of 7-OH. However, the FDA's recent actions are focused on products that have concentrated 7-OH, far beyond what's found naturally. We're talking about things like pills, gummies, drink mixes, and even "shots" being sold online, in smoke shops, gas stations, and corner stores. Why is the FDA concerned? Simply put, these concentrated 7-OH products are not legal and can be dangerous. Here's why: Not Approved: 7-OH is not allowed in dietary supplements or regular foods. There are also no FDA-approved medications containing 7-OH. Unproven Safety and Effectiveness: When you use these products, you're exposing yourself to something that hasn't been tested t...

WASHINGTON – In oral arguments today, the New York State Attorney General’s Office -- represented by state Solicitor General Barbara Underwood -- urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the right of states to sue five polluting power companies to force them to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the primary cause of climate change. Leading a coalition on behalf of New York, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the City of New York, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman’s office argued that the power companies are causing a “public nuisance” by releasing greenhouse gases into the air, and can therefore be held accountable in court. American Electric Power Co., Inc. v. Connecticut marks Solicitor General Underwood’s 20th argument before the Supreme Court. “This lawsuit seeks to protect our States from climate change that threatens our economy, our health and our natural resources. In the absence of federal action limiting carbon dioxide pollution from fossil-fuel pow...