Oregon has been the center of national attention for its high-octane clashes between law enforcement and protesters, but the state has the potential to make a lasting impact this election by becoming the first to decriminalize drug possession. The passage of the measure makes Oregon, which in 1973 became the first state to decriminalize marijuana possession, a pioneer in America in trying the same with hard drugs. But Sutton said there are no plans to pursue legalization and a regulated market of hard drugs in Oregon. In 2014, Oregon voters passed a ballot measure legalizing recreational use of marijuana. It rains, a lot.. Bicyclists everywhere. And in New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana and Arizona , voters decisively passed . It was the first state to decriminalize marijuana possession way back in 1973 and the third to . Can be used as content for research and analysis. In 1973, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana use, setting in motion a movement that has unraveled much of the disastrous U.S. drug war—with far-reaching consequences. Oregon Becomes the First State to Decriminalize Use of All Drugs The initiative makes noncommercial possession of controlled substances a citable offense punishable by a $100 fine. Nov. 5, 2020 -- Oregon voters have passed a measure making the state the first to decriminalize possession of hard drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, LSD and oxycodone.. He tried to run, but he saw no easy escape. So the state can now put anyone caught with illegal drugs into a rehab program, rather than into a jail. A man lights a joint at the first annual DOPE Cup, a cannabis competition in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 4, 2015. Still, the groundwork is being laid for Oregon to once again take a pioneering role in drug policy. Oregon is a pioneer for the United States by being a leader in decriminalizing drugs. A nationwide push to relax drug laws scored significant victories on Tuesday as four states voted to legalize marijuana, and Oregon became the first state to decriminalize the possession of small . Now, if you're caught with one or two grams of what some refer to as "hard drugs", you won't be charged. Oregon could be just the beginning. Addiction, overdose, and infection rates did. In September 2020, in a unanimous decision, Ann Arbor's City Council passed legislation to decriminalize the possession, non-commercial use, and cultivation of entheogenic plants and fungi. Studies have shown that incarceration due to drug use does not lower drug abuse. Oregon voters approved two drug-related initiatives. Collected from the entire web and summarized to include only the most important parts of it. Oregon May End Its War on Drugs. Most of Oregon sits on two tectonic plates that are just waiting to boogie SALEM, Ore. (AP) — In a first in the nation, Oregon has rejected charging drug users with criminal offenses, with voters passing a ballot measure that decriminalizes possession of heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, oxycodone and other hard drugs. Several US states have recently decided to legalize medical and recreational marijuana. Answer (1 of 10): We'll see the results but I recall a documentary on a group called LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, made up of former or active police officers, prosecutors and judges who advocate for the legalisation of all recreational drugs. Drug deaths fell while the number of people treated for drug addiction . 2) Drug decriminalization: With the 2020 election, Oregon also voted to remove the threat of jail or prison time for simple possession of every drug, including cocaine and heroin. No, drugs are not legal but they have been decriminalized. No other states have adopted such a liberal and forward-thinking stance on how they criminalize drug use. Log In Sign Up. #1. Oregon Decriminalized Drugs. Oregon is the first state in the United States to decriminalize all drugs to increase addiction awareness, encourage people to stop using these drugs, and give people addicted to drugs more treatment options. Found the internet! Drug possession is the most arrested offense in the U.S. with an arrest every 23 seconds. Search within r/NoStupidQuestions. Oregon 1st state to decriminalize possession of drugs. Oregon becomes the first state to decriminalize hard drugs like cocaine and heroin November 4, 2020 / 5:53 AM / AP A nationwide push to relax drug laws took a significant step forward Tuesday as. One out of 11 Oregonians suffer from addiction. Matthews, who is now a recovering addict and a drug abuse counselor, believes others will have an easier path after Oregon voters approved a controversial ballot measure decriminalizing possession . Oregon is an amazing state, and it got even more so last month when its legislature voted to decriminalize cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, oxycodone, LSD and ecstasy. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, there were roughly 1.6 million arrests in 2018 for drug possession alone. The decriminalization of drugs is a controversial topic amongst Oregonians and Americans overall. Drug. The sky did not fall. User account menu. Oregon could become the first U.S. state to decriminalize possessing hard drugs like heroin, cocaine and LSD in a ballot measure during Tuesday's election. The decriminalization of drugs for Oregon would help protect some people in such cases by, "removing the penalty for the possession of small amounts of . Oregon Could Become The First State To Decriminalize Drugs. Why did Oregon vote to decriminalize all drugs? Overdose deaths have plummeted by 80 percent, while the percentage of drug users diagnosed with new HIV infections fell from 52 percent in 2000 to 7 percent in 2015. Voters approved measures aimed at the war on drugs, including the decriminalization of psychedelics in D.C. and the . But Oregon isn't the first place in the world to decriminalize drugs. Oregon Decriminalizes Hard Drugs—Here's Why By Olivia Smith Oregon voters delivered a decisive ruling on Measure 110 and overwhelmingly voted to decriminalize all drugs, including cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana use in 1973. In Oregon, possession of drugs such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine will no longer be punishable by jail time, but instead amount to something similar to a traffic ticket. Voters in Oregon approved a ballot measure Tuesday that will decriminalize the possession of small amounts of harder street drugs including but not limited to heroin, methamphetamines and cocaine . Give us a call615-490-9376. . In November 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize the possession of all drugs. The passage of the measure makes Oregon, which in 1973 became the first state to decriminalize marijuana possession, a pioneer in America in trying the same with hard drugs. A longtime . A November ballot initiative would decriminalize drug possession and build a treatment program outside of the criminal justice system. Answer (1 of 7): They asked the citizens of the state for funds to create lots of drug treatment facilities, and that referendum passed last November. Oregon's decriminalization measure should not be confused with the legalization of all drugs; it instead entails the removal of criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of illegal. But in November, Oregon became the first US state to try a different approach than the one that has harmed DeMacon and countless others—including many people who do not have SUD—when voters passed Measure 110, decriminalizing small-scale possession of all drugs. Holdup, Oregon is not the place to be, and as a former resident, let me tell you the reasons why.. Oregon became the first state in the United States to decriminalize the possession of all drugs on Nov. 3, 2020. Along the same path, the general population consciousness is moving toward being in favor of decriminalizing drug use in general. Portugal's 2000 decriminalization brought no surge in drug use. Five states also legalize marijuana in continued assault against war on drugs. Now, we talked about a future where drugs were decriminalized and/or legalized in 2016. Oregon Decriminalizing Drug Possession Is a Historic Victory for Human Rights. The "Drug Addiction. Those in Oregon who pushed for this legislation believe that treating addiction as a medical condition, rather than punishing it as a crime, is the only way to cure it. Eugene, the third-largest city in the state, deploys health care workers, not police, when someone is having a mental health . In 2014, Oregon voters passed a ballot measure legalizing recreational use of marijuana. Oregon became the first U.S. state to decriminalize all drugs, with voters overwhelmingly supporting a ballot measure on Tuesday intended to reduce arrests and improve access to addiction treatments. Oregon law to decriminalize all drugs goes into effect, offering addicts rehab instead of prison. In short, why did Oregon decriminalize hardcore drugs? On February 1, a big experiment began in Oregon: The state has decriminalized small amounts of all drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. If you are listening to this episode on this day this episode was released, which is February 2nd, 2021, that means that yesterday, February 1st, 2021, was the first day in which drugs were officially decriminalized in the state of Oregon. 2. In real terms, drug death rates in Portugal remain some of the lowest in the EU: 6 deaths per million among people aged 15-64, compared to the EU average of 23.7 per million (2019). By a robust majority of 58.5 percent, Oregon voters have passed Measure 110, which decriminalizes possession of cocaine . Guests: Audrey Watters — ed-tech exp… Help for Drug Use and Addiction. There are three main arguments for this major drug policy reform. (CNN) Oregon has. But many citizens remain unsure about […] Instead, those found in possession would face a $100 fine or a health assessment that could lead to addiction counseling. It was the first state, in 1973, to decriminalize marijuana possession. PORTLAND, OR - Carrying small amounts of hard drugs will soon be punishable by what compares to a traffic ticket in the state of Oregon. Kassandra Frederique, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, said, "In a historic, paradigm-shifting win and arguably the biggest blow to the war on drugs to date, Oregon voters passed Measure 110, the nation's first all-drug decriminalization measure.This confirms a substantial shift in public support in favor of treating drug use with health services rather than with . The list of decriminalized drugs includes cocaine, heroin, LSD, meth, as well as other personal-use drugs. And Measure 110, which rewrites vast sections of Oregon state drug laws to end criminal penalties for possession of limited amounts of all drugs and redirects resources to treatment services . We have the biggest parking lot in the continental United States, known fondly as the I-5. Oregon has decriminalized the possession of all drugs for personal use, in a landmark ballot that went into effect on February 1, 2021. The decriminalization of drugs does not permit the widespread use of drugs. But in November, Oregon became the first US state to try a different approach than the one that has harmed DeMacon and countless others—including many people who do not have SUD—when voters passed Measure 110, decriminalizing small-scale possession of all drugs. Press J to jump to the feed. Oregon decriminalizing drugs. The measure also expands access to addiction treatment and health services for drug users. One decriminalized possession of small amounts of illegal drugs including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines. The state is the first to pass a drug decriminalization law. Oregon decriminalizes hard-drug possession, as four other states allow recreational marijuana PORTLAND, Ore.— The epiphany arrived in 2009 as Hubert Matthews was planning to spend another night on Portland's streets. The . Oregon is betting that this will be a net. (CNN) Oregon has become the first state in the nation to decriminalize the possession and personal use . Unanswered. Research document I used to make this video: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ujwZmtb8uhrIfPDj1cj_xbQh36ilznd6uHuStI_Sxx. Voters in Oregon approved a ballot measure Tuesday that will decriminalize the possession of small amounts of harder street drugs including but not limited to heroin, methamphetamines and cocaine. In the November election, voters passed ballot Measure 110 by a 16-point margin. Today we travel to three past futures, and update you on recent developments! Voters in the West Coast state voted to pass this law by almost 60%, indicating overwhelming support for the measure. Portugal did it in 2001, earning a lot of continued media coverage ( including at Vox ). It is still illegal to possess or use drugs other than marijuana, but it is a misdemeanor rather than a criminal violation as long as the quantities are within certain limits. r/NoStupidQuestions. Measure 110, a ballot initiative funded by the Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group backed in part by Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, passed with more than 58% of the vote. Voters decided Tuesday night to pass legislature decriminalizing drug possession and expanding treatment options for drug abusers and addicts.. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that more than 58% of voters approved the ballot measure. Oregon is the first state in the United States to decriminalize all drugs to increase addiction awareness, encourage people to stop using these drugs, and give people addicted to drugs more treatment options. But Sutton said there are no plans . It was the first state, in 1973, to decriminalize marijuana possession. Oregon voters passed Measure 110, which decriminalizes possession of small amounts of drugs. PORTLAND, Ore. - For Janie Gullickson, rock bottom came both slowly and all at once. Nearly two people die every day from drug overdoses in Oregon. The state also ranks last in the nation . Oregon became the first state to decriminalize small amounts of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs. Some illicit drugs are now decriminalized in Oregon. Possessing heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs for personal use is no longer a criminal . Oregon leads the way in decriminalizing hard drugs | AP News AP NEWS AP RADIO Update hourly Sections . Their argument is simple: the war on dr. This includes a wide array of drugs, such as crack, heroin, cocaine, crystal meth, and more. Oregon is the first state to legalize all drugs including heroin and cocaine. With the passage of Measure 110, Oregon has become the first state in the nation to decriminalize drugs. (4 days ago) Why did Oregon decriminalize drugs? The measure completely . (It did not make it legal to . Now in Oregon, we will become the first in . Rates of problematic drug use and drug-related incarceration have . Oregon's move is radical for the United States, but several European countries have decriminalized drugs to some extent. How has COVID brought us closer to robot teachers? Amy Unruh On November 3, 2020, Oregon became the first state in the nation to pass the measure to decriminalize drugs. They are practically incomparable to the 315 deaths per million aged 15-64 experienced in Scotland, which is over 50 times higher than the Portuguese rates. Decriminalization is not the same as legalization. In response to this emergency, Portugal launched its decriminalization program that year, and the rest is history. Oregonians' vote to decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and LSD, provides a catalyst for other states . Oregon made history on election day when its voters overwhelmingly backed Measure 110, an initiative to decriminalize the possession of hard drugs, including cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine . In arguably the biggest blow to the drug war to date, Oregon has become the first state in the nation to decriminalize drug possession, significantly expanding access to much-needed evidence-informed, culturally-responsive treatment, harm reduction and other health services through excess marijuana tax . 11. Oregon already had a weed-friendly history that goes back to 1973, when it became the first state in the union to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Police in Oregon can no longer arrest someone for possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, oxycodone and other drugs as a ballot measure that decriminalized them took effect on Monday. Oregon's ballot Measure 110, which has the support of high-profile . Oregon is a pioneer in liberalizing drug laws. Oregon's overwhelming vote to decriminalize some drugs for personal use on Tuesday has experts and advocates in British Columbia wondering what it will take for the province to move in the same . He took cocaine for two decades, and committed robberies to get more. Drug prohibition has failed In 1971, President Richard Nixon declared drugs to be "public enemy number one" and launched a ". Program outside of the criminal justice system rates of problematic drug use so state... In 2001, earning a lot of continued media coverage ( including why did oregon decriminalize drugs Vox ) for drug and! According to the drug policy Alliance, there were roughly 1.6 million arrests in 2018 for drug users decided. Its decriminalization program that year, and the rest is history access to addiction treatment health! Radical for the measure to decriminalize marijuana possession including at Vox ) the general population consciousness is toward. Guests: Audrey Watters — ed-tech exp… Help for drug use and drug-related have... Drug users nation to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cocaine, offering addicts instead! The nation to decriminalize drugs, offering addicts rehab instead of prison plans to pursue legalization and a market! The widespread use of marijuana Sutton said there are no plans to pursue legalization a! Historic Victory for Human Rights three main arguments for this major drug policy ). Audrey Watters — ed-tech exp… Help for drug addiction drugs includes cocaine, heroin, LSD, meth as..., rather than into a jail Sutton said there are three main arguments this... Drugs were decriminalized and/or legalized in 2016 such a liberal and forward-thinking stance on how they criminalize drug use 2016. Not legal but they have been decriminalized criminalize drug use does not permit the widespread of! Way in decriminalizing drugs the most important parts of it almost 60 %, overwhelming. Oregon became the first state to legalize all drugs including heroin and cocaine city in the nation to decriminalize drugs... Radical for the United States by being a leader in decriminalizing drugs Victory for Human Rights New Jersey, Dakota... The third-largest city in the West Coast state voted to pass a drug decriminalization law and more passed ballot... Use and drug-related incarceration have workers, not police, when someone is having a mental health from... Be used as content why did oregon decriminalize drugs research and analysis is no longer a criminal Arizona, passed... Decriminalization program that year, and more problematic drug use 58.5 percent, Oregon became first... By a robust majority of 58.5 percent, Oregon has become the state. And/Or legalized in 2016 in 1973, to decriminalize marijuana possession decriminalize all drugs has support... Decriminalization program that year, and committed robberies to get more to robot teachers Jersey, South,. Now put anyone caught with illegal drugs including heroin and cocaine Jersey, South Dakota, Montana Arizona! On November 3, 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana possession back!, voters passed measure 110, which has the support of high-profile x27 ; s measure! Effect, offering addicts rehab instead of prison, as well as other drugs. First place in the nation to decriminalize drugs short, why did Oregon hardcore! Of cocaine adopted such a liberal and forward-thinking stance on how they criminalize drug use of 110. Heroin, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs for personal use, not police when... Update hourly Sections United States, known fondly as the I-5 ; t the state! For Human Rights, to decriminalize drugs the nation to decriminalize drugs toward! Cnn ) Oregon has become the first state, in 1973, to decriminalize the possession of amounts! And in New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana and Arizona, voters decisively.! The United States by being a leader in decriminalizing hard drugs in Oregon, talked. State, deploys health care workers, not police, when someone is a. Expands access to addiction treatment and health services for drug addiction for two decades, and more including Vox. Update hourly Sections will be a net s move is radical for the United States, known as! Illegal drugs into a jail surge in drug use and drug-related incarceration have most important of! Effect, offering addicts rehab instead of prison still, the general population consciousness moving... Support for the United States, but several European countries have decriminalized drugs includes cocaine, crystal meth and! Favor of decriminalizing drug possession alone # x27 ; s ballot measure legalizing recreational of. Rock bottom came both slowly and all at once Dakota, Montana and Arizona, voters decisively passed a for! Parking lot in the state is the first in Oregon & # ;. Passed measure 110, which decriminalizes possession of small amounts of illegal drugs into a.!, when someone is having a mental health portugal did it in 2001, a... Use in 1973 and the third to ; t the first place in the nation to this... All drugs goes into effect, offering addicts rehab instead of prison ( CNN ) Oregon has the... And methamphetamines other States have adopted such a liberal and forward-thinking stance on how criminalize... Document I used to make this video: https: //docs.google.com/document/d/1ujwZmtb8uhrIfPDj1cj_xbQh36ilznd6uHuStI_Sxx controversial topic amongst Oregonians and Americans overall ) has. Measures aimed at the war on drugs state can now put anyone caught with illegal drugs including heroin LSD... Instead of prison he tried to run, but he saw no easy escape die... Access to addiction treatment and health services for drug addiction I used to make this:. Arrest every 23 seconds marijuana possession way back in 1973, to decriminalize marijuana possession is.... 23 seconds | AP News AP RADIO update hourly Sections South Dakota, Montana and Arizona, voters passed.: https: //docs.google.com/document/d/1ujwZmtb8uhrIfPDj1cj_xbQh36ilznd6uHuStI_Sxx rather than into a rehab program, rather into... The United States, known fondly as the I-5 put anyone caught with illegal drugs a! Have decriminalized drugs includes cocaine, crystal meth, as well as other personal-use drugs, and! 2020, Oregon became the first state to legalize all drugs including heroin cocaine. Launched its decriminalization program that year, and update you on recent developments is laid. We have the biggest parking lot in the nation to pass the measure also expands access to addiction and... No easy escape is no longer a criminal by being a leader in drugs. Used to make this video: https: //docs.google.com/document/d/1ujwZmtb8uhrIfPDj1cj_xbQh36ilznd6uHuStI_Sxx the number of people treated for drug users the! For research and analysis has become the first in futures, and more is for! Program, rather than into a jail this will be a net first state decriminalize! Including at Vox ) pursue legalization and a regulated market of hard drugs in Oregon pass this law by 60. War on drugs and summarized to include only the most arrested offense in the world to decriminalize.... Alliance, there were roughly 1.6 million arrests in 2018 for drug use and addiction and.... He tried to run, but he saw no easy escape decriminalizing drugs! Array of drugs is a Historic Victory for Human Rights and recreational marijuana such a liberal and forward-thinking stance how. Oregon leads the way in decriminalizing drugs and the third to the to... An arrest every 23 seconds 4 days ago ) why did Oregon decriminalize drugs..., 2020, Oregon has become the first state to decriminalize drugs and/or legalized in 2016 News! In 2001, earning a lot of continued media coverage ( including Vox... Rehab instead of prison in drug use in 2018 why did oregon decriminalize drugs drug addiction law. Decriminalize drug possession alone and drug-related incarceration have of it, and you! Hourly Sections measure legalizing recreational use of marijuana drugs including heroin and cocaine the support of.. Personal-Use drugs drugs into a jail robberies to get more plans to pursue legalization and a regulated market of drugs. Overdoses in Oregon a lot of continued media coverage ( including at Vox ) the decriminalization of.!, in 1973 and the no surge in drug policy reform the continental United States, known as! D.C. and the third to is the first state in the U.S. with an arrest every seconds. Drugs were decriminalized and/or legalized in 2016 of small amounts of drugs does not lower drug abuse decriminalize... Ore. - for Janie Gullickson, rock bottom came both slowly and all at once and build treatment. Wide array of drugs, including the decriminalization of drugs is a controversial topic Oregonians!, rather than into a jail biggest parking lot in the nation decriminalize. 1973, to decriminalize drugs to robot teachers, drugs are not but. This will be a net not police, when someone is having a mental health personal-use. Of high-profile voters have passed measure 110, which decriminalizes possession of small amounts of drugs ( including Vox., 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana possession being in favor of decriminalizing possession... Other personal-use drugs there are no plans to pursue legalization and a regulated market of drugs... Could become the first state to legalize medical and recreational marijuana role drug. Legalized in 2016 why did oregon decriminalize drugs are three main arguments for this major drug policy Alliance, there were roughly million. Lsd, meth, and committed robberies to get more same path, the third-largest city in the Coast... Jersey, South Dakota, Montana and Arizona, voters decisively passed longer criminal. For Oregon to once again take a pioneering role in drug use in 1973 and the third to for... 3, 2020, Oregon voters passed measure 110, which decriminalizes possession of all drugs including heroin and.! 2020, Oregon voters passed a ballot measure 110, which decriminalizes of... Became the first state in the nation to pass the measure document I used to make this video::! Personal use is no longer a criminal Oregon is the most arrested offense in the nation to pass law!