(WatchDogReport.org) – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed into law on March 1 a bill that reverses the liberal policy that decriminalized possession of small doses of certain drugs and redirected the marijuana tax revenue to pay grants for addiction services. With the decision, the state legislatively completed a total U-turn on Measure 110, which 58 percent of voters approved in 2020, as many thought that such a law could end up being an efficient way to solve the drug crisis.
However, numerous media outlets reported that since the approval of the measure, overdose deaths, and addiction have massively increased in Oregon and the United States as fentanyl swept all across the country. Back in August, 56 percent of Oregonians claimed it was a mistake to approve the controversial law, and both Democrats and Republicans introduced a bill to reverse it for good.
The new law, HB 4002, makes the personal use of drugs a misdemeanor that can be punished by up to six months behind bars. The new law also allows police officers to confiscate the drugs and even crack down on their use in parks and sidewalks. It also establishes numerous ways for rehab and treatments to be offered as an alternative to criminal penalties by encouraging authorities to create some deflection programs and even mental health services.
In her signing letter, Oregon’s Democratic governor explained that the success of the new law will only depend on a “deep coordination” between mental health providers, defense attorneys, prosecutors, police officers, and courts. She added that each one of them is “necessary partners” so the bill can meet its “vision.”
In a statement, Oregon House GOP Leader Jeff Helfrich said he fully supported Kotek’s decision and explained that what she did was an important step toward solving the drug crisis in the state. He added that Republicans were united for all Oregonians and forced to the recriminalization of drugs. The change will officially take effect on September 1.
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