Prescription Opiates

As the year winds down, we look back on the big stories in drug policy, from marijuana reform to climbing fatal overdose levels to sentencing reforms and beyond.

Pittsburgh decriminalizes, Detroit restricts dispensaries, the U of Alabama is forcing all frat members to be drug tested, fatal drug overdoses hit a record high last year, and more.

A legalization initiative dies in Florida, but another is born in Montana; the Justice Department proposes funding increases for asset forfeiture programs, Mexico issues the first permits allowing people to grow and possess marijuana, and more.

The drug czar IDs heroin and opiate overdoses as his top priority, Bay State Repeal fails to get enough signatures, Massachusetts voters appear ready to support serious sentencing refoms, and more.

There are signs of dissension around the ReformCA legalization initiative, Oklahoma medical marijuana supporters are searching for signatures, a federal bill to require police to report lethal force incidents is introduced, and more.

Oregon dispensaries can now sell marijuana to all comers (21 and over) starting today, a bipartisan group of senators announce a deal on major sentencing reform, Albuquerque's mayor vetoes decrim again, heroin policy on the campaign trail is featured, and more.

California could still see a medical marijuana regulation bill this year, a Michigan officials ignores his own advisory panel and bars medical marijuana for autistic kids, California counties strike out in an effort to make Big Pharma pay for damages related to prescription opiates, and more.

Illinois's Republican governor has vetoed an comprehensive heroin bill because he doesn't want Medicaid to have to pay for treatment. But there appear to be enough votes to override the veto.

A Tennessee decrim bill moves, an Idaho CBD cannabis oil bill is back from the dead, a Georgia asset forfeiture reform bill passes, the Justice Department says it can still prosecute California dispensaries, and more.

Who could have imagined? Pot arrests drop dramatically in Colorado, CBD cannabis oil bills move in Georgia and Idaho, Kentucky heroin bills are stalled, a leading Moroccan political figure calls for cannabis amnesty, and more.