Alexander Lekhtman

Alexander Lekhtman

Alexander is Filter’s staff writer. He writes about the movement to end the War on Drugs. He grew up in New Jersey and swears it’s actually alright. He’s also a musician hoping to change the world through the power of ledger lines and legislation. Alexander was previously Filter‘s editorial fellow.

As First Psilocybin Center Comes to Colorado, How Is the Rollout Going?As First Psilocybin Center Comes to Colorado, How Is the Rollout Going?

As First Psilocybin Center Comes to Colorado, How Is the Rollout Going?

Denver, Colorado, will open the state’s first legal psilocybin healing center within the next month—a historic moment. It’s the culmination…

April 29, 2025
Will Minnesota, Which Authorized OPC, Actually Open Them?Will Minnesota, Which Authorized OPC, Actually Open Them?

Will Minnesota, Which Authorized OPC, Actually Open Them?

Minnesota was just the second US state (after Rhode Island) to authorize overdose prevention centers allowing supervised drug use in…

April 24, 2025
Cannabis as Cancer Treatment Heavily Backed by Major ReviewCannabis as Cancer Treatment Heavily Backed by Major Review

Cannabis as Cancer Treatment Heavily Backed by Major Review

Cannabis as a treatment for cancer symptoms is heavily supported by existing research, a large-scale review has found. What's more,…

April 22, 2025
As SAMHSA Cuts Loom, Behavioral Health Orgs Fight to Protect FundingAs SAMHSA Cuts Loom, Behavioral Health Orgs Fight to Protect Funding

As SAMHSA Cuts Loom, Behavioral Health Orgs Fight to Protect Funding

Harm reduction providers and other community groups are in chaos they await updates on the fate of withdrawn grant funding…

April 17, 2025
Florida May Soon Ban Anonymous Officer Misconduct ComplaintsFlorida May Soon Ban Anonymous Officer Misconduct Complaints

Florida May Soon Ban Anonymous Officer Misconduct Complaints

Under a proposed bill, Florida would no longer allow officer misconduct complaints to be filed anonymously—requiring that they be signed…

April 16, 2025
Texas Bill Could Expand Sterile Syringe Access—for a FeeTexas Bill Could Expand Sterile Syringe Access—for a Fee

Texas Bill Could Expand Sterile Syringe Access—for a Fee

A proposal advancing in the Texas legislature would authorize syringe service program (SSP) pilots in a total of seven counties,…

April 15, 2025
“Faces of Medicaid” Highlights Lifesaving Program Under Attack“Faces of Medicaid” Highlights Lifesaving Program Under Attack

“Faces of Medicaid” Highlights Lifesaving Program Under Attack

A new campaign highlights how Medicaid has transformed the lives of many people who use drugs, through medications for opioid…

April 10, 2025
Refelonizing Fentanyl Had No Good Outcomes: Colorado StudyRefelonizing Fentanyl Had No Good Outcomes: Colorado Study

Refelonizing Fentanyl Had No Good Outcomes: Colorado Study

Increasing criminal penalties for fentanyl had zero impact on overdose deaths in Colorado and accomplished nothing good. That’s the result…

April 3, 2025
What Will Sara Carter of Fox News Bring as “Drug Czar”?What Will Sara Carter of Fox News Bring as “Drug Czar”?

What Will Sara Carter of Fox News Bring as “Drug Czar”?

On March 28, President Donald Trump announced Sara Carter as his pick for "drug czar." Carter, who will need to…

April 1, 2025
Replication Study Refutes Naloxone “Moral Hazard” PaperReplication Study Refutes Naloxone “Moral Hazard” Paper

Replication Study Refutes Naloxone “Moral Hazard” Paper

Seven years ago, a deeply controversial paper claimed that states introducing laws to expand naloxone led to increases in opioid-related…

March 28, 2025