Womble Perspectives

Parkinson's Disease is a relentless neurological disorder that affects millions globally. Characterized by tremors, stiffness, and coordination difficulties, it severely disrupts daily life. For those living with it - and for their caregivers - finding effective symptom management strategies is paramount. This is where cannabis could come in. A plant often wrapped in controversy, cannabis seems to be emerging as a potential ally in managing symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

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Exploring the Potential of Cannabis in Managing Parkinson's Disease

About the author
Melissa Ratliff, RN, BSN, Legal Nurse Consultant

As the summer Olympic Games approach, we can expect to see some athletes being banned due to doping. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which oversees American Olympic and Paralympic athletes, enforces stringent testing standards. Remember the female US track star banned from the Tokyo Games for testing positive for marijuana? Spoiler: she's back and faster than ever. Although marijuana remains banned in the Olympics, the NC double A Division 1 Council recently decided to remove cannabinoids from the banned drug class for NC double A championships and postseason football.

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About the author:
Kim Beane

By now, we all know that Generative AI models are trained on massive amounts of data, much of which is collected from the Internet, as well as other sources.

This AI is also generating tons of new content, much of which ends up online. But what happens when this AI-generated content is used again to train the AI models?

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About the author
Dr. Christian E. Mammen

Today we’re digging into the energy demands of artificial intelligence and the political pressure it’s creating. Senate Democrats are calling out Big Tech over the skyrocketing electricity consumption of data centers powering AI, which makes this not just a tech topic, but a conversation about consumer costs, infrastructure, and the politics of energy.

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• Senate Democrats Press Big Tech on the Cost of AI’s Soaring Energy Demands

About the author

• Kristina Moore

Today, we’re tackling part two of what it takes to find expert witnesses, and we’re following up with the next big question: once you’ve got a shortlist of candidates, how do you choose the best one? It turns out, it’s not just about degrees and licenses. There are multiple other factors that can make or break credibility in front of a jury.

More info

• Finding an Expert Witness (Part 2): Best Practices for Choosing the Best Candidate
• Part 1: Where to Look and What to Ask to Find the Right Witness for Your Case

About the author

• Kim Beane

In courtrooms across the country, cases often hinge on what’s known as the “battle of the experts.” The credibility, character, and clarity of an expert witness can make or break a case. 

But, what makes an expert witness truly credible—and where do you even begin to find one who could help you win your case?

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• Finding an Expert Witness: Best Practices for Finding Credible Experts

About the author

• Kim Beane

Today we’re tackling a development from the U.S. Department of Justice that could reshape compliance strategies across multiple industries. The DOJ has launched a new Health & Safety Unit within its Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and this could signal a sizeable shift for companies in health, safety, and consumer product sectors.

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• DOJ Unleashes New Health & Safety Unit: Anticipate Augmented Criminal Enforcement for Certain Regulated Industries

About the authors

• Luke Cass
• Michael E. Clark
• Kristina M. Moore
• Ting-Yu Huang*

Today, we’re tackling a question that maybe sounds straightforward, but could have complicated, unforeseen consequences. That question? What happens if the FDA stops collecting user fees from drug companies? At first glance, it sounds like a win. Less corporate influence, more independence for regulators. But is it really that simple? 

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• The Cost of Free: What Removing FDA User Fees Could Mean for Drug Innovation and Public Health

About the author

• Matt Quinn, Ph.D.
  
  

Today we’re tackling a major development in California’s climate disclosure landscape. The state’s ambitious climate disclosure law was set to usher in a new era of corporate transparency. But now, everything is on hold. 

Just weeks before the first compliance deadline, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an injunction that pauses enforcement of the law. This unexpected twist leaves thousands of businesses wondering: What happens next? 

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• California’s Climate Risk Disclosure Law Paused: What SB 261’s Injunction Means for Businesses

About the author

• Lisa Rushton

Today’s episode focuses on a fascinating intersection of science, law, and economics: the rise of psychedelic therapy and the legal frameworks shaping its future. 

In this era of industrialized capitalism, there are strong incentives to promote products in emerging industries. Intellectual property law has always played a key role in fueling innovation and now, it’s poised to do the same for psychedelic therapies. 

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• Actualizing Therapy from Psychedelic Compounds Requires Acknowledging the Past Pioneers as well as Encouraging Cooperation from Current Market Players

About the author

• Ben Bourke