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Oregon’s controversial Measure 110 went into effect Monday, decriminalizing possession of hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and oxycodone, according to reports.
The measure reclassifies possession of small amounts of hard drugs as a civil offense: offenders will be charged a $ 100 fine, which they can avoid through a “health assessment” – a 24/7 phone service that will help determine the services that a person might need.
Small amounts include less than 1 gram of heroin or MDMA; 2 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine; 12 grams of psilocybin mushrooms; and 40 doses of LSD, oxycodone or methadone.
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“People suffering from drug addiction are treated more effectively by the health services than by criminal sanctions,” the bill says. “A health care approach includes a health assessment to determine the needs of people with substance abuse, and it includes connecting them to the services they need.
Oregon will also fund drug treatment and harm reduction efforts by reallocating millions of dollars from the state’s cannabis tax.
Moderate amounts of these same drugs have also seen the classification reduced from a felony to an offense of simple possession, according to the Register-Guard.
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Voters adopted the measure in November with the strong support of more than 100 organizations, including the Oregon chapter of the American College of Physicians, the Oregon Nurses Association, the Oregon School Psychologists’ Association, the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians, ACLU, and others.
“It takes a lot of courage to try something new, and I’m really proud of our condition,” said Haven Wheelock, a harm reduction specialist who filed the measure, according to the OPB. “I’m delighted to be a role model for other places to show that we don’t have to hurt people because they are sick.”
Opponents of the measure argued that Oregon was ill-equipped to handle such a drastic new approach to drug use and addiction.
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“I hope that with this new effort he will be successful in fighting addiction, but I think everyone can agree that it is an experience,” said Kevin Barton, the Washington County District Attorney.
Paul Best of Fox News contributed to this report.
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