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Nearly half of states – 24 and Washington, D.C – have legalized recreational marijuana. As more people report regularly using it, physicians are seeing patients with alarming side effects related to their cannabis use.On this week’s episode of Well, Now Kavita and Maya sit down with internist and pediatrician Dr. Brittany Tayler to better understand these conditions and who could most likely get them.If you liked this episode, check out: Psychedelics’ Long Strange Trip to the Doctor’s OfficeWell, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com.Want to listen to Well, Now uninterrupted? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock ad-free listening to Well, Now and all your other favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellnowplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neil deGrasse Tyson’s life-long love of science led him to astrophysics and a career as the nation’s premiere voice on making science accessible for all. On today’s episode of A Word, he joins host Jason Johnson for a conversation about the new edition of his book, Merlin’s Tour of the Universe, Revised and Updated for the Twenty-First Century: A Traveler’s Guide to Blue Moons and Black Holes, Mars, Stars, and Everything Far. They also discuss the science in pop culture, the political history of space flight, and why he’s still proud to have led the effort to remove Pluto’s status as a planet.Guest: Astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse TysonPodcast production by Kristie Taiwo-MakanjuolaWant more A Word? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/awordplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voters in swing states are being subjected to constant political messages—on billboards, commercials and, increasingly, via text messages. But are dozens of “make a plan to vote” texts you’re receiving going to make a difference?Guest: Jacob Neiheisel, political science professor at the University at Buffalo Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Disclosure in Podcast Description: A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. As of 9/26/24, the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across the Bond Account is greater than 6%. A bond’s yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond’s YTW is not “locked in” until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The “locked in” YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See https://public.com/disclosures/bond-account to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The discussion kicks off with Jeff Bezos’ controversial claim about the Washington Post's presidential endorsement. The effectiveness of boycotts is scrutinized, unraveling their impact on journalistic integrity. Economists weigh in on the potential economic fallout from a Trump victory. The podcast also highlights absurd corporate perks, like GrubHub abuses at Facebook. Lastly, the hosts tackle the sensitivity afforded to parents of white-collar criminals, questioning the level of sympathy they deserve amid their children's schemes.

This week’s show is unapologetically long, deep, and hopeful. Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Yale history professor Timothy Snyder to talk about his new book, On Freedom, and to have the audacity to re-imagine freedom on the precipice of an election that could turn the United States hard right into tyranny. Next, Dahlia is joined by Rick Hasen, Director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA Law School, for a gut-check about how the election might go, legally speaking, and a reminder that “too early to call” is a pro-democracy posture on election night—even as the former guy almost certainly claims victory before the clock strikes midnight—regardless of the actual results. Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk, the innovative CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, dives into his surprising political ties with Donald Trump, exploring how he evolved from an admired tech visionary to a pivotal supporter funding Trump's campaign. The discussion unveils Musk's strategic motives amid shifting political landscapes, including his response to Biden’s electric vehicle policies and the potential implications for his business interests. The complexities of power and influence unfold, revealing Musk's maneuvering in the intersection of Silicon Valley and politics.

Nate Persley, a Stanford University Law School professor specializing in election law, joins the discussion as the team delves into the final week of the presidential campaign. They tackle critical threats to election integrity, including voter roll inaccuracies and litigation challenges in Pennsylvania. The implications of celebrity endorsements on low-engagement voters are examined alongside the complexities of political rhetoric and its electoral fallout. The conversation also touches on media integrity and the impact of endorsements on public trust during this tumultuous election period.

David Gilbert, a reporter for WIRED specializing in disinformation and online extremism, dives into the unsettling world of constitutional sheriffs. He describes his experiences at an unconventional sheriff convention where attendees fervently share their beliefs about the 2020 election being stolen. The discussion highlights the sheriffs' assertive stance against federal authorities and their role in the upcoming elections, raising concerns about the integrity of voting processes and the potential for increased law enforcement interference.

Paul Kane, a congressional reporter for the Washington Post, dives into the pivotal role of Nebraska's second congressional district in the upcoming presidential election. He discusses the unique electoral vote allocation system that could sway national outcomes. The conversation highlights local activism through the Blue Dot Energy movement and analyzes the competitive dynamics of current congressional races. Kane also sheds light on shifting campaign strategies and the implications for both parties amid changing voter sentiments in Nebraska.

Raquel Willis, a writer and activist known for her memoir "The Risk It Takes to Bloom," and Eliel Cruz, an organizer and columnist with Gay Times, dive into the significance of the Gender Liberation March in D.C. They discuss connecting reproductive rights with medical transitions in a challenging political landscape. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of intersectional activism beyond elections, the importance of grassroots movements, and the need for authentic media representation of trans issues. Together, they highlight how gender liberation can empower all communities.