A Close Look at State Drug Policy Legislation in 2024

Suggested Citation: Jennifer Logan, Jennifer A. Martinez, Joseph Longley, and Regina LaBelle, 2024 State Legislative Round-Up, O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center (2024).

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As a majority of state legislatures have adjourned, the Center for Addiction and Public Policy has published a new round-up report of state legislation passed in 2024 that seeks to curb overdose deaths and substance use disorder. Overall, there was a trend toward more law enforcement-centric approaches in 2024, with multiple states passing laws increasing drug-related penalties and creating new drug-related crimes.

This Quick Take summarizes the highlights and themes of the 2024 state legislative sessions across the United States, as well as recommends state policy priorities for 2025 to save lives and improve health outcomes for people with substance use disorder.

* Please note that HB161 and HB455 did not become law after the legislature failed to override the governor’s veto.

Read the Quick Take.

Read the full round-up.