Ballot boxes are seen in Marion County Election Office in Salem, Ore. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Stayton resident Amy McKenzie Watts requested the recount for the ballot measure that decriminalized small amounts of drugs. Measure 110 Recount1
Syndication: Statesman Journal
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Police in Oregon can no longer arrest someone for possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs. A ballot measure that decriminalized them took effect on Monday. Instead, those found in possession would face a $100 fine or a health assessment.
Backers of the ballot measure, which Oregon voters passed by a wide margin in November, hailed it as a revolutionary move for the United States. Ballot Measure 110’s backers said treatment needs to be the priority and that criminalizing drug possession was not working.
Oregon is a pioneer in liberalizing drug laws. It was the first state, in 1973, to decriminalize marijuana possession.
