The Beaver State’s unorthodox experiment with drug decriminalization has come to an abrupt end.
In a surprising turn of events, Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek signed a law on Monday that brings back criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of drugs. This move effectively overturns Measure 110, a voter-approved initiative from 2020 that made Oregon the first state to decriminalize the possession of controlled substances for personal use.
Under the new law, getting caught with drugs like heroin, cocaine, or meth will no longer result in just a slap on the wrist. Instead, offenders could face up to six months behind bars. However, the law does encourage police to divert people to addiction and mental health services instead of throwing them in jail.
Governor Kotek emphasized that the success of this law hinges on close collaboration between courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and mental health providers. She called them “necessary partners” in making this legislation work.
When Measure 110 first passed, it promised to funnel millions of dollars from cannabis tax revenue into addiction services. But the money was slow to arrive, and health authorities, already stretched thin by the COVID-19 pandemic, struggled to get the new treatment system up and running. On top of that, the fentanyl crisis triggered a surge in deadly overdoses.
Faced with these challenges, some Oregon Democrats who once backed Measure 110 had a change of heart and supported the new law. Republicans, who had been pushing to overturn Measure 110 all along, claimed victory, saying they had “stood united and forced Democrats” to restore criminal penalties.
The new law takes effect on September 1, marking a significant shift in Oregon’s approach to drug policy.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.