All articles tagged with #measure 110
The article covers various Portland news including the new owner of the Blazers, a successful study debunking conservative claims about Measure 110, a harmful algae bloom in the Willamette River, and international updates on Trump's meeting with Putin and other national stories. It also highlights local events like Burger Week and emergency system tests.
Members of Unite Oregon protested outside Oregon's Capitol against lawmakers' decision to recriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs and change voter-approved Measure 110, arguing that the move abandons the spirit of the measure and won't support people dealing with addiction. Lawmakers believe the change is necessary to address drug deaths in the state, but the group fears more people will be sent to jail rather than treatment programs if the bill is signed into law by Gov. Tina Kotek.
Oregonians rallied in Salem urging Governor Kotek not to sign House Bill 4002, which effectively ends Measure 110, a voter-approved law decriminalizing possession of small amounts of hard drugs. The bill would create an unclassified misdemeanor for drug possession and give law enforcement discretion to send individuals to treatment or jail. Advocates argue that the reform will disproportionately impact people of color, while state leaders emphasize the need to address the addiction crisis.
Oregon lawmakers are pushing through House Bill 4002, which would recriminalize drugs decriminalized by Measure 110 in 2020, despite opposition from criminal justice reformers. The bill, which targets possession of hard drugs and includes jail sentences, is seen as a win for Republicans and well-heeled critics, but has drawn criticism for potentially disproportionately impacting people of color. Researchers argue that Oregon's drug problem is more related to the emergence of fentanyl than Measure 110, and caution that gutting the measure is unlikely to reverse the upward trajectory of overdose deaths.
Oregon's Measure 110, which decriminalized possession of small amounts of hard drugs and directed drug users towards treatment instead of arrest, is now under reconsideration as the state grapples with a worsening drug crisis. Lawmakers are debating whether to recriminalize drugs, citing concerns about the effectiveness of the citation system and the surge in opioid overdoses since the law's passage. While some argue for a return to criminal penalties, others emphasize the need to address underlying issues such as the fentanyl crisis, homelessness, and healthcare system strain, while acknowledging the positive impact of Measure 110 in expanding addiction treatment services.
An audit conducted by the Oregon Secretary of State has found that funds from Measure 110, which decriminalized small amounts of drugs for personal use, are not being utilized efficiently. Despite distributing $261 million from cannabis taxes to drug treatment providers, only a third of the grant funds have been spent due to difficulties in hiring staff and other obstacles. This issue of underspending has been observed in other programs in Oregon as well. Critics of Measure 110 have filed initiatives to overturn it, while lawmakers are considering modifications. The audit also highlighted concerns about the Oregon Health Authority's ability to gather reliable data to measure the program's effectiveness. However, the audit did acknowledge that the grants have expanded community-based services and improved accessibility for vulnerable individuals.
Oregon's cannabis industry continues to face challenges due to oversupply, resulting in lower prices and financial struggles for producers, processors, and retailers. The state's economists reported a 15% increase in the October outdoor harvest compared to the previous year, exacerbating the existing supply glut. As a result, many businesses are unable to pay taxes and debts, leading to an increase in tax delinquencies and falling tax collections. This poses a threat to Measure 110, which relies on cannabis taxes to fund addiction treatment services. While some suggest reducing the number of licensees to stabilize prices, current conditions reflect intentional policy decisions and the federal government's stance on marijuana.
Republican lawmakers in Oregon are urging the governor to convene a special legislative session to repeal Measure 110, a voter-approved measure that decriminalized small amounts of hard drugs. They argue that the state's access to treatment has worsened since the measure's passage, citing data on drug overdose deaths. Democrats acknowledge the need for changes to Measure 110 but believe that repealing it alone will not solve the drug crisis. The debate over the measure's effectiveness continues, with some advocating for a combination of criminal justice interventions and expanded treatment programs.
Oregon Senator David Brock Smith has called for a special legislative session to repeal Measure 110, a controversial drug legalization law that decriminalized small amounts of illicit drugs and prioritized treatment over incarceration. The senator argues that the measure has led to an increase in open drug use, addiction, homelessness, and crime. However, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton opposes repealing the measure and instead advocates for fixing and improving it by increasing treatment options and reintroducing the use of the criminal justice system.
Political operatives have filed twin ballot initiatives in Oregon aimed at overhauling Measure 110, the 2020 ballot measure that decriminalized possession of hard drugs. The proposed initiatives would transfer oversight of Measure 110 funding to the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission and recriminalize possession of hard drugs, making treatment mandatory. The top Democratic legislators in the state, including Gov. Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner, and Speaker of the House Dan Rayfield, have remained noncommittal on the effort, expressing the need to address the addiction crisis but refraining from endorsing the specific proposals.
A group of business and civic leaders in Oregon have filed a ballot initiative to modify aspects of Measure 110, which decriminalized possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. The proposed changes include prohibiting the use of hard drugs in public places, making possession of lethal drugs a crime again, replacing voluntary treatment with required addiction treatment, and prioritizing diversion and treatment over prosecution and jail. The initiative aims to clear a person's criminal record following successful treatment. The Coalition to Fix and Improve Measure 110 hopes to bring this amendment before Oregon voters in November 2024 or have it passed by the governor or legislature in February or sooner.
Portugal, often cited as a success story for drug decriminalization, is now facing challenges with increased drug use, overdose rates, and crime. While decriminalization initially led to positive outcomes such as reduced HIV transmission and prison populations, recent data shows a rise in illicit drug use and overdose rates. Sewage samples indicate high levels of cocaine and ketamine use, and drug-related debris on city streets has surged. Police patrols in drug-plagued neighborhoods have limited impact due to existing laws. This raises questions about the effectiveness of drug decriminalization policies, as Oregon implements its own measure, Measure 110.