President Trump has not only fumbled the national response to COVID-19, his administration has also failed to tame another public health crisis—the opioid epidemic, according to NPR. Despite vowing in 2016 to confront the crisis as overdose deaths soared, Trump has not shown clear and concise leadership and made serous missteps that have hampered federal efforts to contain the epidemic and reduce overdose fatalities. The lack of a national strategy has led to a record 72,000 overdose deaths in 2019, with nearly 50,000 opioid-related. Trump’s attack on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and expanded Medicaid coverage, which pays for substance use treatment, could worsen the situation if the Supreme Court strikes down the law.
Meanwhile, recent victories by pro-marijuana legalization groups can be tied to conservative politicians and voters who are increasingly on board with cannabis reform. Three of the four states voting next week on recreational use—Arizona, South Dakota and Montana—are traditionally conservative, but the ballot initiatives are expected to pass. As more Republicans swing their support behind legalization, it’s increasingly likely that bipartisan efforts to advance reform measures on the federal level will succeed for the first time.
And finally, pro-pot groups in New Jersey are so confident of victory that some legislators want adult-use sales to being immediately after the votes are counted. One state legislator says this could happen within a month, through existing medical dispensaries. The ballot measure does not outline rules and regulations for the new market—so rushing to start retail sales without guidelines could pose a danger to public health.