Weed is stronger and more accessible than ever. Doctors worry that this trend could spell trouble for people with psychosis, whose cannabis use can increase their risk of developing psychosis at an earlier age and with more severe delusions and hallucinations.

www.statnews.com/2025/10/08/m...

I'm writing the newsletter this week on a question I think a lot of us have been pondering: When is it really time to leave the country?

The newsletter is our primary perk for Assigned Members, free to them but not available otherwise. It's the single best way for readers to support our reporting.

First take out of arguments: Despite efforts by Sotomayor to put off a decision, it appeared the Supreme Court will subject Colorado’s conversion therapy ban to strict scrutiny under the First Amendment, with a majority likely to strike it down outright.

More to come at Law Dork:

Last week, NExTRAC met for the last time. The group advised NIH on emerging biotechnologies of concern. Without it, the US govt is "closing its eyes to the future," one member told @aniloza.bsky.social and me.

It's just one of 47 HHS ad comms terminated this year:

www.statnews.com/2025/10/07/h...

She’s left us no choice. It’s time for Isaac Chotiner to interview Bari Weiss.

And if you're a reporter without much experience covering conversion therapy/trans people/trans health care more broadly, I highly recommend checking out the resource list that @transjournalists.org and
@theopennotebook.bsky.social put together.

www.theopennotebook.com/resources-fo...

The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments for Chiles v Salazar today.

If you want to get caught up on what this Supreme Court case means for conversion therapy), STAT's very own @theresagaff.bsky.social has you covered.

www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/s...

LOTS of news in the vaccine space today

first — CDC director signs off on ACIP's recommendations from over two weeks ago, from @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social & I

www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/c...

Tremendous reporting from @katiepalmer.bsky.social about how telehealth companies transformed from helping patients access doctors to helping companies sell drugs.

www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/t...

The NIH is making a $50 million bet: environmental "exposures" are critical for understanding why some people have autism

www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/n...

For the November/December issue of @motherjones.com, I dove into the history of the word "able-bodied"—including how it's been harmful to disabled Americans since the 1930s and it most certainly will be when Medicaid work reqs come into play again. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

THE MEME IS REAL

One of the full-circle moments? In high school, I was friends with Rebecca Smith. I was diagnosed as autistic. Now, she learned she's autistic and is a teacher down in Texas and I interviewed her about how she helps students accept others. @the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

ty!! learned from the best (you)

Medicaid work requirements are just bad. But, as I wrote for @motherjones.com, there’s an extra level of vileness going on with them being implemented as more work-from-home jobs disappear.

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Reed is pathetic and your piece is incredible

A growing number of Americans believe that gender-affirming care will become less accessible in their lifetime, a new 19th News/SurveyMonkey poll finds — reflecting a political landscape that has become increasingly hostile toward transgender people and their health care.

also this story from @mmolteni.bsky.social about the long history of tylenol is just a stunner and y'all need to read it. it has everything — malaria, Napolean, Jesuits, hydroxychloroquine and the Biggest of Big Pharma

www.statnews.com/2025/09/25/t...

There's been some reporting since Monday about how moms feel about Trump's push to end their ability to use Tylenol during pregnancy, but I haven't seen many journalists (if any??) talk with #actuallyautistic moms. I think we should be doing that more!

www.statnews.com/2025/09/25/a...

Wound up cutting this, but Jennifer Cook (Love on the Spectrum) had a great quote for all mothers freaked out by Monday's presser:

"Trust your doctor. You’re going to be ok. If you’re child is autistic, it’s not going to be a death sentence, it’s just a difference."
www.statnews.com/2025/09/25/a...

I started reaching out to autistic moms as soon as Monday's press conference ended. They have a unique angle in this discussion. They understand wanting to do everything for your kid while also get that being autistic is not the end of the world.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/25/a...

Mothers regularly shoulder the "blame" for having a child with autism. So when autistic moms watched Trump insist — despite little scientific evidence — that Tylenol use during pregnancy causes autism, it felt like a return to a dark era. #disability #autism

www.statnews.com/2025/09/25/a...