Common Sense for Drug Policy Blog

The New York Times editorial board has called for the federal legalization of marijuana ("It’s Time for America to Admit That It Has a Marijuana Problem," NY Times, February 9, 2026.)

According to the editorial:

"The war on marijuana brought its own costs. Every year, authorities arrested hundreds of thousands of Americans for marijuana possession. The people who suffered the legal and financial consequences were disproportionately Black, Latino and poor. A society that allows adults to use alcohol and tobacco cannot sensibly arrest people for marijuana use. We oppose the nascent efforts to re-criminalize the drug, such as a potential ballot initiative in Massachusetts this year that would ban recreational sales and home growing.

"Yet there is a lot of space between heavy-handed criminal prohibition and hands-off commercial legalization. Much as the United States previously went too far in banning pot, it has recently gone too far in accepting and even promoting its use. Given the growing harms from marijuana use, American lawmakers should do more to regulate it. The most promising approach is one popularized by Mark Kleiman, a drug policy scholar who died in 2019. He described it as “grudging toleration.” Governments can enact policies that keep the drug legal and try to curb its biggest downsides. Culture and social norms can play an important role, too."

The Times editorial board noted:

"We want to emphasize that occasional marijuana use is no more a problem than drinking a glass of wine with dinner or smoking a celebratory cigar. Many Americans find it enjoyable to smoke a joint or eat an edible, with friends or alone. Some people with serious illnesses have found relief with marijuana. Adults should have the freedom to use it.

"Still, any product that brings both pleasures and problems requires a balancing act, and marijuana falls into this category. Yes, it is safer than alcohol and tobacco in some ways, but it is not harmless. The biggest concern is excessive use. At least one in 10 people who use marijuana develops an addiction, a similar share as with alcohol. Even some who do not develop an addiction can still use it too much."

NPR reports that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has reversed its recent abrupt decision to claw back grant moneys from mental health and substance use treatment service providers (see "Federal Government Cancels Approximately $1.9 Billion in Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Funding," Drug Policy Facts Blog, January 14, 2026).

According to NPR (Brian Mann, "24 hours of chaos as mental health grants are slashed then restored," January 15, 2026:

"An administration official confirmed to NPR that the cuts, first announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), were being reversed. They asked not to be identified because they didn't have permission to speak publicly about the decision.

"They said all of the roughly 2,000 organizations affected by the whiplash series of events were being notified that full funding would be restored.

"Official notice of grant restoration began reaching organizations Thursday morning. According to a letter sent by SAMHSA to a care provider in upstate New York, which was shared with NPR, the termination of federal funding communicated Tuesday 'is hereby rescinded.'

"'Your award will remain active under its original terms and conditions,' the letter states. 'Please disregard the prior termination notice and continue program activities as outlined in you award agreement.'"

January is Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month.

The Trump administration on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, abruptly cancelled approximately $1.9 billion in mental health and substance use treatment funds that had been awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Guardian reported (Melody Schreiber, "'People will die': Trump administration cancels up to $1.9bn for substance use and mental health," The Guardian, Wednesday, January 14, 2026):

"As many as 2,800 grantees through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Samhsa) received a letter immediately ending their funding – about 26% of Samhsa’s entire budget.

"Staff at Samhsa were not consulted on the cuts or even told they were happening, according to two sources familiar with the cuts who asked for anonymity to speak about sensitive matters. The agency also endured massive cuts throughout 2025.

"Providers woke up this morning to learn they would need to lay off staff and end programs immediately, Hampton said. Many of these programs are on the frontlines of mental health and substance use, functioning as the first point of contact for people who need care.

"'These are programs that save lives, so the impact could be really devastating,' said Regina LaBelle, former acting director of the Biden White House office of national drug control policy and professor at Georgetown University."

The White House issued an executive order regarding marijuana on December 18, entitled Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research:

"Sec. 2.  Rescheduling Medical Marijuana and Improving Access to Cannabidiol Products.  (a)  The Attorney General shall take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process related to rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III of the CSA in the most expeditious manner in accordance with Federal law, including 21 U.S.C. 811.

"(b)  The Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political, and Public Affairs shall work with the Congress to update the statutory definition of final hemp-derived cannabinoid products to allow Americans to benefit from access to appropriate full-spectrum CBD products while preserving the Congress’s intent to restrict the sale of products that pose serious health risks.  This will include consultation with appropriate executive departments and agencies and authorities to develop a regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including development of guidance on an upper limit on milligrams of THC per serving with considerations on per container limits and CBD to THC ratio requirements.  The Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall develop research methods and models utilizing real-world evidence to improve access to hemp-derived cannabinoid products in accordance with Federal law and to inform standards of care."

The Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at The Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law has a great analysis of Federal Marijuana Rescheduling: Process and Impact.

Since it was first observed in 1988, December First is World AIDS Day.

According to the World Health Organization:

"World AIDS Day brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic.

"The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care around the world. It has become one of the most widely recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services."

On November 25, 2025, UNAIDS released its 2025 World AIDS Day report, entitled "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response."

According to the UNAIDS news release announcing the report (UNAIDS, "UNAIDS releases its 2025 World AIDS Day report: Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response," November 25, 2025):

"Abrupt reductions in international HIV assistance in 2025 have deepened existing funding shortfalls. The OECD estimates that external health assistance is projected to drop by 30–40% in 2025 compared with 2023, causing immediate and even more severe disruption to health services in low- and middle-income countries.

"'The funding crisis has exposed the fragility of the progress we fought so hard to achieve,' said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. 'Behind every data point in this report are people—babies and children missed for HIV screening or early HIV diagnosis, young women cut off from prevention support, and communities suddenly left without services and care. We cannot abandon them. We must overcome this disruption and transform the AIDS response.'"

The news is not all bad. The release also notes:

"Despite these challenges, several countries have taken swift action in a bid to close funding gaps. As a result, many countries are showing resilience when it comes to HIV treatment delivery. Some countries have reported relatively steady numbers or even an increase in new initiations on antiretroviral therapy as a result of swift action to maintain services.

"Nigeria, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and Tanzania have all committed to increasing domestic investments in HIV services. UNAIDS is working with more than 30 countries to accelerate national sustainability plans.

"Innovation is also gaining momentum. HIV prevention technologies—including twice yearly injections to prevent HIV—have the potential to prevent tens of thousands of new infections in high-burden settings. New partnerships announced in 2025 by the Gates Foundation, UNITAID, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief have launched initiatives to ensure widespread access to affordable generic formulations of life-saving medicines, for as little as USD 40 per person per year in some cases."

The UNAIDS 2025 World AIDS Day Report, "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response," is a free download from the UNAIDS website.

Advocates in the US fear that federal policy changes and funding cuts could undo years of progress.

ABC News reported December 1 (Beatrice Peterson, "Presidential HIV council warns proposed cuts could reverse decades of progress," ABC News, December 1, 2025):

"Several PACHA [Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS] members released a letter, shared exclusively with ABC News, urging the White House and Congress to protect funding, saying the reductions could reverse decades of work.

"The council, which advises the Department of Health and Human Services on HIV policy, is made up of researchers, clinicians and community leaders. Multiple members also told ABC News the council has not met this year, raising questions about its ability to carry out its advisory role.

"In the letter, members warn that 'Although progress has been made, the United States continues to experience over 30,000 new HIV cases every year. Without continued investment, progress toward ending the HIV epidemic will stall, cases will increase again, and the health of Americans will suffer.'

"They point to the bipartisan Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, launched in 2019, which helped drive a 12% drop in new infections. Fully funding the program, the council says, could save up to $100 billion in health care costs by 2030. But members say House proposals would eliminate funding for domestic and global HIV efforts, cut more than $1 billion from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and remove key parts of the Ryan White Program, which supports people living with HIV."

#WorldAIDSDay #EndAIDS 

The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) released its 2024 report on Tuesday, October 21. According to the ESPAD news release ("European school survey project on alcohol and other drugs (ESPAD): 30 years," ESPAD, Oct. 21, 2025):

"The 2024 ESPAD findings relate to students’ experience of, and perceptions about, a variety of substances, including: tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, inhalants, pharmaceuticals and new psychoactive substances (NPS). Social media use, gaming and gambling are also covered. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, ESPAD has also strengthened its focus on adolescent mental well-being. This survey round included a new focus on mental well-being and prevention activities, recognising the growing importance of these factors in shaping adolescent health outcomes."

Briefly, the survey found:

"Teenage drinking, smoking and cannabis use continue to decline but new behavioural and health risks are on the rise. The report flags growing concerns over increasing e-cigarette use, the non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs and a sharp rise in social media use, online gaming and gambling among teenagers. These trends are most striking among girls, where long-standing gender gaps in substance use appear to be narrowing, or even reversing."

ESPAD Report 2024

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting Friday October 10 at the request of Venezuela to assess the situation regarding US military strikes on Venezuelan vessels in the Caribbean that have resulted in a number of deaths.

The Associated Press reported on October 10, 2025 (Edith M. Lederer, "US clashes with Venezuela and allies at emergency UN meeting on US strikes in Caribbean," AP, Oct. 10, 2025):

"Venezuela asked for the meeting of the U.N.’s most powerful body following deadly U.S. military strikes on four boats that Washington says were carrying drugs.

"Venezuela accused U.S. President Donald Trump of seeking to topple President Nicolás Maduro and threatening “peace, security and stability regionally and internationally.” The Trump administration has said three of the targeted boats set out to sea from Venezuela.

"The strikes, which the U.S. said killed 21 people, followed a buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean unlike any seen in recent times.

"'The belligerent action and rhetoric of the U.S. government objectively point to the fact that we are facing a situation in which it is rational to anticipate that in the very short term, an armed attack is to be perpetrated against Venezuela,' Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador Samuel Moncada said."

On Wednesday October 15, it was revealed that the US has authorized covert action by the Central Intelligence Agency against Venezuela. The New York Times reported (Julian E. Barnes and Tyler Pager, "Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela," NY Times, Oct. 15, 2025):

"The authorization is the latest step in the Trump administration’s intensifying pressure campaign against Venezuela. For weeks, the U.S. military has been targeting boats off the Venezuelan coast it says are transporting drugs, killing 27 people. American officials have been clear, privately, that the end goal is to drive Mr. Maduro from power."

The Times further reported:

"The new authority would allow the C.I.A. to carry out lethal operations in Venezuela and conduct a range of operations in the Caribbean.

"The agency would be able to take covert action against Mr. Maduro or his government either unilaterally or in conjunction with a larger military operation. It is not known whether the C.I.A. is planning any specific operations in Venezuela.

"But the development comes as the U.S. military is planning its own possible escalation, drawing up options for President Trump to consider, including strikes inside Venezuela.

"The scale of the military buildup in the region is substantial: There are currently 10,000 U.S. troops there, most of them at bases in Puerto Rico, but also a contingent of Marines on amphibious assault ships. In all, the Navy has eight surface warships and a submarine in the Caribbean."

As reported by the New York Times (Eric Schmitt, Helene Cooper, Alan Feuer, Charlie Savage, and Edward Wong, Trump Administration Says Boat Strike Is Start of Campaign Against Venezuelan Cartels, New York Times, Sept. 3, 2025):

"The Trump administration declared the start of a new and potentially violent campaign against Venezuelan cartels on Wednesday, defending a deadly U.S. military strike on a boat that officials said was carrying drugs even as specialists in the law of war questioned the legality of the attack.

"The U.S. Navy has long intercepted and boarded ships suspected of smuggling drugs in international waters, typically with a Coast Guard officer temporarily in charge to invoke law enforcement authority. Tuesday’s direct attack in the Caribbean was a marked departure from that decades-long approach.

"The administration has said 11 people were aboard the vessel. It was unclear whether they were given a chance to surrender before the United States attacked."

According to the Washington Office on Latin America (Statement: Lethal U.S. military strike on alleged drug traffickers sets a dangerous precedent in the “war on drugs,” WOLA, Sept. 3, 2025):

"Ascertaining the legitimacy and legality of the use of force in this case will depend on the factual answers to numerous questions. It is not clear whether the U.S. military forces deployed to the southern Caribbean tried to contact the people aboard the boat, tried to board the boat, fired warning shots, or tried to disable the engine by firing on a part of the boat where humans were not present. U.S. authorities should also address the question of whether there is any evidence that those aboard were threatening U.S. personnel in a way that would justify using lethal force in self-defense.  

"If the evidence shows that the U.S. military, apparently on the orders of President Trump, engaged in the unlawful use of force that caused the deaths of 11 people in international waters, those responsible, especially at the political and military command levels, must be held accountable in the U.S. criminal justice system and under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The U.S. Congress should also require the Administration to disclose all the relevant facts."

The journal Health Affairs has published an issue focused on opioid use and the overdose crisis. 

The September 2025 issue, entitled Insights About The Opioid Crisis, contains several insightful articles about opioid use disorder, treatment, harm reduction, and more. All articles in this issue are open access so they're available to the public free of charge. 

As journal editor-in-chief Donald Metz writes:
"Although recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show signs of a reduction in annual opioid overdose deaths beginning in mid-2023, those rates remain above where they were when the opioid epidemic was declared a public health emergency in 2017. Beyond the mortality data, millions of Americans use opioids and could benefit from harm reduction and treatment services. This issue addresses a range of topics surrounding the ongoing crisis."