There needs to be more work done to better understand the housing crisis and homelessness, as researchers currently lack data. Without the proper research in the field there will be no way for policy makers to adequately make solutions for this very complex problem.

The current policy landscape in many ways is driving the housing crisis. There are few effective long term solutions in place for those facing housing instability, and many policies have had the unintended consequence of worsening the problem.
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This lack of treatment options is in many ways driving the housing crisis, with the housing crisis then worsening mental illness and substance use, creating a deadly positive feedback loop.

Housing instability is closely linked with mental illness and drug use. Our current approach to treating both mental illness and substance use disorder are inadequate for the current needs of the population.
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Treatment is still inaccessible to most people and policies that have been aimed more on the treatment side of this issue, such as harm reduction programs, have faced heavy criticisms with no proposed alternative solution. We need to now more holistically address the treatment side of this issue.

The majority of policies addressing the current opioid epidemic have aimed to modify prescribing behavior in an effort to prevent future addiction but have overall neglected to provide solutions to those who are currently addicted to opioids.
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These funds are given to the states to use at their discretion, and should provide an avenue to establish new channels to address the opioid crisis and substance use as a whole. In the coming years it will be crucial for the public to hold states accountable in the use of these funds.

Over $50 billion will flow into states over the next 2 decades as a result of a legal settlement with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies who were accused of creating the opioid crisis through the irresponsible sale of painkillers.
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More research will be needed to see the true long term effects of legalizing recreational cannabis and youth use and attitudes toward cannabis.
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The legalization of recreational cannabis in some states has led many to wonder how this would impact youth access and thus use of cannabis. So far there seems to be inconclusive evidence on whether legalizing cannabis raises the rates at which youth are using cannabis.

Both recreational and medical cannabis use are considered illegal at the federal level. However, due to the specific wording used in the 2018 Farm Bill, modified strands of cannabinoids, such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, which have similar effects to Delta-9 are effectively legal federally.
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A caveat with the current state of medical cannabis policy is that there is still limited access for those who cannot afford medical cannabis out of pocket. As medical cannabis policy evolves this will be something that will have to be addressed in order for these policies to be equitable.

The passage of legislation that allows for the use of medical cannabis, specifically if the policy allows for dispensaries, significantly reduces the financial burden on Medicare D. Not only is there a known economic benefit to this legislation it is also linked to better health outcomes.
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Studies show that medical marijuana can be an effective alternative treatment option for chronic pain. It could thus prove useful in combating the current opioid epidemic in the US by reducing the amount of opioid prescriptions needed to manage pain.
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