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.

NY Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries to Get Padlocks First, Hearings Second

New York's long-promised crackdown on unregulated cannabis sales is coming into focus. With a $237 billion state budget finalized April…

April 24, 2024

Utah Has a New Overdose Task Force, Counteracting the One It Has Already

After an unsuccessful attempt to pass drug-induced homicide legislation in 2023, Utah is finding other ways to criminalize people for…

April 24, 2024

Activists in DC for 4/20, Demanding Federal Action for Marijuana Justice

Activists have gathered in Washington, DC to demand that Congress and President Biden take action to legalize marijuana federally and…

April 19, 2024

San Francisco Overdose Deaths Falling in Early 2024: Will It Last?

San Francisco recorded slowly decreasing overdose deaths over the first three months of 2024, according to new data. But how…

April 16, 2024

NY County Sued for Illegally Denying Person OUD Meds in Jail

A lawsuit accuses a New York county jail of repeatedly denying a man held there his medication for opioid use…

April 12, 2024

Cannabis Legalization on the Ballot in Florida, But Hawaii Bill Dies

Florida voters will decide on a marijuana legalization measure in November, despite opposition from top elected Republicans there. Thousands of…

April 5, 2024

Activists Pushing for Pennsylvania to Finally Authorize Syringe Programs

Pennsylvania harm reduction activists will rally at the State Capitol in Harrisburg on April 8, demanding that state lawmakers protect…

April 4, 2024

New Hampshire Is Weighing Harsher Fentanyl Punishments

New Hampshire is weighing a series of bills that would increase punishments for fentanyl-related activity, introducing new mandatory minimum sentences.…

April 2, 2024

Utah’s New Law to Authorize MDMA and Psilocybin Therapy

Utah is the latest state, and a notably conservative one, to authorize some form of psychedelic therapy. On March 21,…

March 25, 2024

Minnesota Lawmakers Seek Fairness in Its Coming Cannabis Market

Minnesota's legislature legalized cannabis in 2023, but it's not yet certain what the new legal market will look like. Lawmakers…

March 19, 2024