Sam Mellins

Sam is a journalist living in New York City. His reporting focuses on electoral politics, labor and criminal justice. His writing has appeared in The Appeal, Jacobin, THE CITY and New York Focus.

New York’s Harm Reduction Victories in the 2021 Legislative Session

[This story is published in partnership with New York Focus, an independent, investigative news site covering New York state and city…

July 13, 2021

In Upstate New York, a Jail Keeps Blocking Access to Lifesaving OUD Meds

[This story is published in partnership with New York Focus, an independent, investigative news site covering New York state and…

March 26, 2021

Illinois the Latest State to End Driver’s License Suspensions That Fuel Inequality

Illinois is set to become the next state to end the practice of suspending driver’s licenses over unpaid traffic violations,…

March 1, 2021

New York’s Two Marijuana Legalization Paths: Will Lawmakers Get It Right?

After two years of false starts, could 2021 be the year that New York finally legalizes marijuana? All the stars…

January 26, 2021

NY Restricts Driver’s License Suspensions That Criminalize Poverty

After waiting until the last possible day, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill to greatly restrict…

January 7, 2021