SALEM, OREGON – Lawmakers in Oregon have recently passed a bill that aims to reclassify the possession of certain drugs as a misdemeanor offense. The new measure comes after a prior voter-approved initiative decriminalized the possession and personal use of all drugs in the state. Now, legislators are seeking to reverse course on certain substances like fentanyl.
The bill, known as HB4002, has now made its way to the desk of Democratic Governor Tina Kotek for further review and consideration. The governor, who previously declared a state of emergency due to fentanyl in downtown Portland, has yet to publicly express her stance on the legislation.
With bipartisan support, the measure sailed through both chambers of the Oregon State Legislature. The state Senate voted 21-8 in favor, following a 51-7 approval from the state House the previous evening.
Oregon had initially made headlines in 2020 for becoming the first state to decriminalize the possession and personal use of all drugs. This move, under Measure 110, which took effect in February 2021, aimed to shift the approach from punitive measures to a more health-focused system, providing access to addiction assistance and health services.
Supporters of HB4002 view this as a step towards revising elements of the state’s earlier decriminalization efforts. However, critics warn that reclassifying drug possession could disproportionately impact communities of color. Jennifer Parrish Taylor, the director of advocacy and public policy at Urban League of Portland, expressed concerns about the potential for biased harm within the system.
As the debate surrounding drug policy in Oregon continues, the passage of HB4002 signals a potential shift away from the decriminalization trend that has swept across the nation. The outcome of this new legislation remains uncertain, with implications reaching far beyond the state’s borders.