Oregon becomes 1st state to decriminalize cocaine, heroin, meth, other drugs
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The state of Oregon on Monday officially decriminalized possession of small amounts of virtually all street drugs, including cocaine and heroin. File Photo by Stevepb/Pixabay
Feb. 1 (UPI) Oregon on Monday became the first state in the country to decriminalize virtually all illicit drugs including the hard varieties like methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.
A ballot measure that was approved last fall took effect Monday, at the start of February.
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Under the new law, possession of small amounts of the drugs is no longer a criminal offense. Rather, it is a civil offense that carries a $100 fine, which can be paid by undergoing a health assessment.
Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth, who was elected without opposition to the post last year, agreed. I think it s working as intended, he said of Measure 11. Regarding the proposals in Salem, he said they re designed to benefit the criminal defense and take power away from prosecutors, making it more difficult to prove our cases and lessen sentences once we do.
Multnomah County D.A. Mike Schmidt is the lone reformer, at least in the metro area.
In a statement on Jan. 8, Schmidt, Wasco County District Attorney Matt Ellis and Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel signed on to lawmakers reform efforts.
Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth, who was elected without opposition to the post last year, agreed. I think it s working as intended, he said of Measure 11. Regarding the proposals in Salem, he said they re designed to benefit the criminal defense and take power away from prosecutors, making it more difficult to prove our cases and lessen sentences once we do.
Multnomah County D.A. Mike Schmidt is the lone reformer, at least in the metro area.
In a statement on Jan. 8, Schmidt, Wasco County District Attorney Matt Ellis and Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel signed on to lawmakers reform efforts.
Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth, who was elected without opposition to the post last year, agreed. I think it s working as intended, he said of Measure 11. Regarding the proposals in Salem, he said they re designed to benefit the criminal defense and take power away from prosecutors, making it more difficult to prove our cases and lessen sentences once we do.
Multnomah County D.A. Mike Schmidt is the lone reformer, at least in the metro area.
In a statement on Jan. 8, Schmidt, Wasco County District Attorney Matt Ellis and Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel signed on to lawmakers reform efforts.