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Oregon Legislators Consider Reinstating Criminal Penalties for Drug Possession, Awaiting Governor's Decision



Following the approval by Oregon voters in 2020 to decriminalize the possession of minor quantities of drugs, state legislators are now proposing a reversal of this policy with a new bill that has successfully passed both the Senate and House. This move marks a significant shift for Oregon, a state known for pioneering progressive drug policies, as it contemplates retracting a groundbreaking law that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs just three years ago.


The Oregon Legislature took decisive action on Friday, with a bill aimed at reintroducing criminal penalties for small-scale drug possession. The bill, House Bill 4002, received a favorable vote of 21-8 in the Senate following a 51-7 approval in the House on Thursday. Governor Tina Kotek now has the opportunity to enact the bill. In conjunction, House Bill 5204, which allocates $211 million in funding for related measures, was also passed by the Senate with a 27-3 vote and is awaiting the Governor's approval.


Regarding Oregon's Measure 110 on Drug Decriminalization


Senator Kate Lieber, a Democrat from Portland and co-author of the bill, emphasized the legislation's role in reinforcing the state's dedication to providing Oregonians with necessary treatment and care. Lieber views the bill's passage as a pivotal moment for substantive and positive transformation within the justice system.


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