Oregon Became First State to Decriminalize Hard Drugs

While the discussion over how to treat those suffering from addiction has been a heated conversation for years, Oregon has taken a major swing to change the way they handle addicts in the state. Voters passed a new law to decriminalize small amounts of hard street drugs in an effort to better care for the those with addiction issues.

The new law will decriminalize 'small amounts' of hard drugs such as 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 and allow those caught in possession to avoid jail time. Those caught possessing illicit drugs will avoid jail time and a trial by paying a $100 fine and attending a recovery program.

The bill was endorsed by the Drug Policy Alliance, the Oregon Democratic Party and some medical associations. However, the Oregon Republican Party and criminal prosecutors have strongly denounced the measure and are calling it reckless.

This was not the only drug related bill to pass in Oregon. Voters also passed a measure to legalize the 'therapeutic' use of psychedelic mushrooms, a first for the nation.