Vermont Moves to Allow Overdose Prevention Centers
The Vermont legislature passed a bill to authorize and fund the state’s first overdose prevention center. OPCs are vital in the fight against overdose deaths. DPA led a coalition to pass the bill and is organizing health experts and community leaders to call on the governor to sign it.
The DEA has proposed rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule I drug (the most restrictive class) to a Schedule III drug (a less restrictive class). Marijuana reform is long overdue, but this is not enough – it would still be illegal. Marijuana must be removed from the Controlled Substances Act entirely.
Senate Introduces Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana Federally
Senators have introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. It would also expunge and resentence federal marijuana convictions. The CAOA would provide the comprehensive reform that we need.
New data shows there were a record 107,941 overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2022. The rise is fueled by the unregulated drug supply and strict drug laws, which have proliferated potent drugs like fentanyl. Overdoses involving stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine are also on the rise.
California Bill Would Allow Drug Checking Services
A California Assembly committee has passed a bill to allow drug checking. Drug checking helps prevent overdoses by informing people if their drugs contain fentanyl or other unexpected substances. Health agencies can also use drug checking results to warn about dangers in the drug supply.
In the 1990s, Congress cruelly banned anyone with a felony drug conviction from SNAP benefits. Two proposed bills – one from a Republican and one from a Democrat – would repeal the ban. This would let people with drug convictions focus on finding jobs and housing, instead of figuring out how to put food on the table.
DPA’s Director of Drug Markets and Legal Regulation, Cat Packer, joined Montel William’s podcast Let’s Be Blunt with Montel podcast to discuss federal marijuana scheduling.
