The Democratic Governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, signed a bill into law that recriminalizes the possession of small amounts of drugs, overturning a 2020 voter-approved measure that decriminalized personal use possession of illicit drugs. The new law makes possession a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and encourages the establishment of deflection programs to divert individuals to addiction and mental health services instead of the criminal justice system. Kotek emphasized the importance of coordination between different stakeholders to ensure the success of the legislation.
The previous measure, known as Measure 110 and approved by voters in 2020, made possession of drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine subject only to a ticket and a maximum fine of $100. Advocates argued that treatment is more effective than incarceration in addressing addiction, which has not been effectively addressed through the traditional approach of arrests. The law allocated cannabis tax revenue towards addiction services, but implementation challenges and the rise of the fentanyl crisis led to a reassessment of decriminalization policies by Oregon Democrats.
Facing pressure from the fentanyl crisis and implementation issues, Oregon Democrats shifted their stance on decriminalization, leading to the passage of the new law during the recent legislative session. Some Democrats who had previously supported Measure 110 now backed the recriminalization law, while others expressed concerns about potential increase in arrests and social inequalities. Republican leaders had long sought changes to Measure 110 and viewed the new law as a victory in restoring criminal penalties for drug possession. The law will come into effect on September 1.
The signing of the bill by Governor Kotek marks a significant shift in Oregon’s drug policy and represents a departure from the progressive approach of decriminalization. The decision to recriminalize drug possession reflects a growing recognition of the challenges in implementing decriminalization and the need for alternative approaches to address addiction and mental health issues. The establishment of deflection programs and increased coordination among law enforcement, courts, and health providers will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the new law in addressing drug-related issues in Oregon. The impact of the recriminalization law on individuals with substance use disorders and the broader community will be closely monitored as the changes take effect.
