Psychedelic Reform Finds Progress and Setbacks
FOCUS, A Leonine Business
Psychedelic drugs are gradually gaining attention as promising therapeutic tools in the U.S. Over the last few years, several states have made notable strides toward decriminalizing or legalizing these substances for therapeutic and personal use, highlighting the growing interest in their potential mental health benefits. Scientific research continues to find promising results for psychedelic-assisted therapy. Recent setbacks, however, suggest that the country may not be as open to psychedelics as it was to cannabis in the early days of its legalization efforts.
New York Governor Proposes $500 ‘Inflation Refund’ Checks for Residents
Newsweek
New Yorkers might receive $500 “Inflation Refund” checks next year in a move aimed at easing financial strain, according to a proposal unveiled by New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. The initiative, which Governor Hochul will announce on Monday, proposes one-time payments of up to $500 for eligible residents.
Ohio Supreme Court sides with pharmacy chains accused in opioid lawsuits
The Washington Post
National pharmacy chains cannot be held liable for allegations they violated an Ohio public nuisance law by flooding communities with addictive pain pills, the state’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The decision marks a blow to efforts by governments to hold companies accountable for their alleged role in fueling the nation’s opioid crisis.
Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina and Ohio are in regular session. The District of Columbia Council and U.S. Congress are also in session.
Maine convened its 2025 legislative session on December 4.
California is in recess until January 3.
North Carolina passed an adjournment resolution that calls for the regular session to reconvene periodically through December. The legislature convened on December 2 and is scheduled to adjourn on December 13, on which the legislature will stand adjourned.
California began a special session on December 2 intended to prepare the state for the upcoming Trump administration, though the session is in recess. According to The Hill, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking $25 million for a litigation fund to prevent “unconstitutional or unlawful federal government actions.” This fund would prepare the state to file legal challenges against policies from the Trump administration that the state’s government finds to be in violation of the rights of its citizens.
Oregon Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek has called for a special session to begin on December 12 to address the costs of fire season. According to the Oregon Capital Chronicle, the special session will focus on appropriating funds to cover the remaining costs of outstanding bills from the fire season. While federal funds will eventually cover more than half of the firefighting’s $350 million bill, by finding sufficient funds sooner, the state hopes to forego damaging relationships with those private contractors that provided aid.
Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has until December 14 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey has 10 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature.
Interim Committees/Prefiles
The following states are currently holding interim committee hearings: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California House and Senate, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois House and Senate, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi House and Senate, Missouri House and Senate, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire House and Senate, New Mexico, New York Assembly, North Dakota, Oklahoma House and Senate, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas House, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The following states are currently posting bill drafts, prefiles and interim studies: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Missouri House and Senate, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
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