Blog By: Lauren K. Repa
Kentucky is known worldwide for its horse races, and betting on horse races is integral to Kentucky's culture and economy. In this blog, 2L Staffer Lauren K. Repa argues that the passing of House Bill 551 this past September, legalizing all sports betting, might put horse racing at risk, with betters flocking to other forms of gambling. However, not all is lost; Repa asserts AI apps such as EquinEdge might be the program Kentuckians need to keep horse racing alive with the passing of the new legislation.
Blog By: Antonio C. Ellzey
In this blog, 3L Antonio C. Ellzey points out that California Governor Newsom recently vetoed a pending California state law that aimed to address the dangers of gas appliances. Specifically, the new law would have required manufacturers to place warning labels on gas stoves to inform consumers of their health effects. Some say the new law would help build awareness around a hidden danger while others say the new would restrict Californians’ freedom. Ellzey believes the pending law would positively impact Californians because they can make better-informed decisions around their health and safety, which would ultimately help save lives.
Blog By: Stevi Whitman
In this blog, 3L staffer Stevi Whitman argues for the use of certification marks to promote authenticity within the whiskey industry by introducing the Estate Whiskey Alliance® (EWA). The EWA is a member led association spearheaded by UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky, the James B. Beam Institute, Marker’s Mark Distillery, and other founding members, tasked with ensuring quality standards of whiskey production, promoting the benefits of local sourcing, and advancing sustainability efforts throughout the whiskey industry through the use of certification marks.
Blog By: Phillip Burress
Kentucky is home to 100 distilleries in 42 counties and produces 95% of the world's bourbon. In this Blog, 3L Phillip Burress discusses the threat posed by "Whiskey Fungus" on Kentucky property owners and the legal challenges facing Kentucky distillers.
Blog By: Ashton Edwards
In this Blog, 3L Staffer Ashton Edwards argues that instead of staying silent on the issue, Congress should respond to the interstate commerce concerns that reside in the Prop 12, a proposition that was made law by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023. Edwards discusses that so far, Congress has yet to address the arguments and concerns of Farmers, the Court, or citizens, even though this law arguably has a substantial impact on interstate commerce.
The FDA regulates drugs, cosmetics, foods, and dietary supplements, but not THC or CBD. 2L Staffer, Kenneth McQueen, Jr., strongly argues that with the rise of more states legalizing marijuana, it is time for the FDA to start regulating THC and CBD for the sake of public health. McQueen points out the issues that could occur with the regulation of CBD and THC but believes there are ways the FDA can limit the issues while still protecting public health.
As vaping and e-cigarettes seem to take the place of regular cigarettes, many are wondering is this safe? The public and the government are worried that those who are partaking in this activity are putting themselves more at risk. With Covid-19 swarming through our country, taking care of our body and lungs are at an all time high causing the FDA to look at putting more restrictions on vaping and e-cigarettes.
In modern times, food safety is something that we all take for granted. Food labeling, a practice that predates the FDA, remains crucial to the safety of Americans. In this post, staffer Abigail Hartge analyzes two recent cases that highlight the need for the FDA for consumer protection, particularly in the realm of proper labeling. Abigail questions if disclosure of ingredients alone by industry giants is sufficient for safety.
While in quarantine, a lot of adults have taken the time to self-pamper. But even in our free time, most of us neglect to read the ingredients label on our favorite beauty products. Unbeknownst to many Americans, one in eight (of the 82,000) ingredients used in cosmetic products are industrial chemicals. In this cheeky blog post, Online Editor Lauren Beeman discusses the lack of product disclosure requirements for beauty products and the harsh implications unregulated cosmetics have on consumers.
The human population is expected to grow to 9.7 billion by 2050, and at that size, to meet demand, food production must increase by 70%. Many argue, without a sustainable meat alternative that meat consumption will outpace production, causing meat to become scarce instead of the commodity it is now.
For those not well versed in science jargon, CRISPR-Cas is a genome-editing technology that allows the user to precisely cut out sections of DNA. Not surprisingly, scientific technology is moving faster than the gears of the political process can turn. The FDA and the USDA have realized that CRISPR is coming whether they are ready or not. But the agencies are going different directions on whether to regulate the organisms that undergo CRISPR alterations.
