Preliminary analysis of CDC data on drug overdose deaths estimates that fatalities may exceed 90,000 in 2020, up from nearly 71,000 the year before—the largest annual increase in two decades. Health officials had been tracking a surge in overdoses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the latest figures point to even greater losses due to the stress, isolation and economic downturn caused by the corona virus. But as the death toll mounts, there’s little word from the Biden administration on what it intends to do. The president has yet to appoint a “drug czar” to oversee and coordinate national drug policy, and a recent statement outlining drug policy priorities did not include any new funding beyond the $4 billion allocated in the American Rescue Plan. Clearly, we need federal action now to confront this national drug crisis.
Meanwhile, New Mexico became the latest state to legalize marijuana—but with a distinct difference: unlike in other legalized states, the law does not allow municipalities to opt out of allowing pot dispensaries. The opt-provision has become an important tool for localities opposed to legalization to say they don’t want pot shops in their neighborhood. But unfortunately, even this measure of local control has been eliminated.
And finally, the CEO of Uber is also thinking about getting into the pot business, He told CNBC the company would like to start home-delivery services once federal-level prohibition of marijuana is lifted.