Welcome to the Drug Issue of The Highlight

Drugs are a perennial American preoccupation, from the war on illicit ones to our massive pharmaceutical industry. This month, Vox reporters looked into the pressing drug questions of the moment: What happens when weed replaces alcohol? Given high costs and various medication shortages, how much do expiration dates matter? What is pink cocaine? We even have an interview with a biohacking anarchist about DIY medicine, for The Highlight podcast. There’s plenty of non-drug stuff for you to enjoy too: pieces on how to reconcile after a family estrangement and how to rewild your own backyard, recommendations from Vox’s book critic, and an exploration of why nostalgia won’t get us out of the loneliness epidemic. [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/drug_issue5_sq_d7b18c.png?quality=90&strip=all] How weed won over America Land of the free, home of the blazed. By Marin Cogan [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/drug_issue4_sq_3ac7de.png?quality=90&strip=all] What in the world is pink cocaine? It’s not cocaine, but it can be just about anything else — except a good idea. By Celia Ford [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/drug_issue1_edit_cf09d7.png?quality=90&strip=all] Are drug expiration dates meaningless? That Tylenol’s shelf life is longer than you think. By Keren Landman, MD [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/drug_issue3_edit_7d8b79.png?quality=90&strip=all] The world’s most mysterious psychedelic is already inside your brain DMT, “the nuclear bomb of the psychedelic family,” explained. By Oshan Jarow [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/drug_issue2_edit_71d0c8.png?quality=90&strip=all] How marijuana legalization played itself Pricey, legal weed is great news — for the black market. By Lavanya Ramanathan [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/gettyimages-2177699642.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Mixael Laufer on DIY health care Medicine shouldn’t be so hard to access — so the Four Thieves Vinegar Collective is helping people make their own. By Jorge Just [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/AllieVolpe_Vox_LonelinessNostalgia.png?quality=90&strip=all] Nostalgia won’t fix the loneliness epidemic There are practical, everyday ways to get out of your head and into community. By Allie Volpe [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Vox_Header_.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Yes, you can fight climate change in your backyard One wildflower at a time. By Cat Willett [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/gettyimages-2181612592.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] What counts as a landslide? Your biggest election questions, answered. Split-ticket voting, the Senate, down-ballot issues, and more. By Eric Levitz and Christian Paz [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/GettyImages-1781833390.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Family estrangement doesn’t have to be forever Reconnecting with someone you’ve cut ties with isn’t easy — but it can be done. By Fortesa Latifi [Image: https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Vox_NextPage_ConstanceGrady_10-25.png?quality=90&strip=all] “I’m looking for a fever dream of a book.” In November’s month’s edition of Ask a Book Critic, novels to scratch the surrealist itch, lesbian necromancers in space, and more. By Constance Grady