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Patient advocates say a bill passed by Congress last week that ostensibly decriminalizes drug addiction will no doubt open doors for those seeking treatment. But others say the legislation is a lost opportunity to strengthen the country's ability to track opioid prescriptions. (Johnson, 7/18)

Texans who are arrested for possessing small amounts of marijuana shouldn’t be locked out of jobs and haunted by minor lapses in judgment for the rest of their lives, business and legislative leaders say. As acceptance of marijuana — medical and otherwise — grows nationally and in Texas, members of both major political parties in the Legislature have staked out positions supporting the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana. The proposed change could be beneficial for Texas businesses, proponents have said. (Eaton, 7/18)

New Hampshire’s medical marijuana program finally got off the ground in April, with the opening of the state’s first cannabis treatment center. Three of the four state-licensed dispensaries are now operating, and more than 1,100 people with serious illnesses are approved to use the drug. But many, if not most, of the New Hampshire residents who could potentially benefit from medical marijuana won’t be able to legally obtain it. (Wallstin, 7/18)