Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has called on state lawmakers to quickly approve legalization of recreational marijuana, with tax revenues earmarked for a COVID-19 economic recovery plan. Echoing other state leaders who support similar moves, Wolf said pot tax revenues could supplement relief loans provided by the federal government. But unlike other states that have private commercial marijuana businesses, Wolf believes state-run dispensaries would be an “ideal” way to distribute the drug. He added, the money would be divvied up between historically disadvantaged businesses and restorative justice programs that have hurt communities as a result of marijuana criminalization.
While decriminalization is a worthy goal, the rush to legalize marijuana in the wake of COVID-19 economic losses is shortsighted. It ignores not only the public health implications of easier access to pot—especially for young people—but also the impact on communities, the workplace and law enforcement.
Meanwhile, two commonly used medications used to combat overdoses and addiction are making the news. A new study shows that prescriptions for the overdose-reversal drug naloxone have skyrocketed in the past decade—with the most dramatic increase happening from 2016 onward, as the medication became an essential tool to combat drug overdoses. At the same time, Medicaid spending on naloxone also soared to $15 million in 2018, as more states extended coverage.
And finally, another survey finds that only one-third of residential drug treatment facilities use the withdrawal medication buprenorphine, although the drug has been proven effective to treat addiction for many patients as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that includes counseling, therapy and peer-based support.