The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) released a report recapping state legislative efforts related to addiction in the first half of 2026.

By the numbers: ASAM tracked 499 addiction medicine-related bills across 44 states in the first half of 2026.

• 14% of those bills were enacted into law, 36% failed, and 50% are either in the introductory state or under consideration.

The details: The top three priority areas for state legislators were naloxone access, parity and prior authorization, and access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

• In 2025, the top priorities were naloxone access, parity, and tobacco.
• Other trending issues in 2026 include drug scheduling/enhancing criminal penalties (including for kratom), increasing access to addiction treatment in the criminal legal system, and Medicaid.