"Oregon's U-Turn: Recriminalizing Drug Possession After Decriminalization Experiment"

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed a bill, HB 4002, recriminalizing the possession of small amounts of certain drugs, reversing the 2020 Measure 110 that decriminalized most illegal drug possession. The new law makes personal use possession a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and enables police to confiscate drugs. It also establishes deflection programs to divert people to addiction and mental health services. The decision comes after addiction and overdose deaths surged in Oregon, prompting both Republicans and Democrats to introduce legislation to roll back the controversial measure.