Virginia's governor signs a minor marijuana reform bill into, the Mexican government has captured a major cartel leader, heroin and fentanyl use is up during the pandemic, and more.
It was a big year for marijuana in Congress. Less so in the states.
From marijuana to psychedelics to the lingering overdose crisis to the emergence of a new vaping-related illness, a lot happened in 2019. Here are ten of the biggest highs and lows.
How the US-Mexico border used to look. Now, reduced traffic because of COVID-19 is forcing drug smugglers to innovate. (CC)
Cleveland, Ohio, City Council Approves Marijuana Decriminalization. The city council has voted 15-2 to approve a measure that would eliminates fines and jail time for low-level marijuana possession. And it's a pretty high low level: 200 grams. The legislation still needs to be approved by Mayor Frank Jackson (D), who has previously expressed support for it.
Tom Steyer's platform includes marijuana legalization and opioid decrim. (Creative Commons)
Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer rolls out a progressive criminal justice platform, a Tennessee marijuana legalization bill is filed, and more.
Heroin and fentanyl overdose deaths doubled in San Francisco last year. (Creative Commons)
A New Mexico marijuana legalization bill backed by the governor has been filed, Montana activists file a second legalization initiative, San Francisco authorities report a doubling of heroin and fentanyl overdose deaths last year, and more.
Federal marijuana prosecutions declined significantly last year, a new report finds. (Creative Commons)
A New Mexico marijuana legalization bill gets filed, Rhode Island's governor calls for pot legalization, the drug czar touts a drop in drug overdose deaths, and more.
Under a Supreme Court ruling, the Mexican congress has one month to pass a marijuana legalization bill. (Creative Commons)
More than 20 state attorneys general have urged congressional leaders to pass legislation to protect state-legal marijuana, Mexico faces a deadline to legalize marijuana, Canadian researchers recommend providing prescription heroin to hard-core addicts, and more.