The objective of the measure is to keep drug addicts out of the criminal justice system (representation)
Los Angeles, United States:
Oregon on Tuesday became the first US state to decriminalize hard drugs, including possession of small amounts of heroin and cocaine, and to legalize access to “magic mushrooms” for therapeutic purposes.
Some other states, including Arizona and Montana, appeared poised to legalize recreational marijuana, in line with a trend that has swept the country in recent years.
A voting initiative to decriminalize a range of psychedelics was also approved in the nation’s capital, Washington DC, the fourth jurisdiction to pass the reform.
Votes on these measures took place as Americans voted in the US presidential election.
Under Measure 110, possession of small amounts of illicit drugs in Oregon would be considered a civil offense, and more money would be spent on drug treatment and other services for people with mental disorders. drug addiction.
“This groundbreaking initiative envisions a better way forward – instead of arresting and imprisoning people for drugs, it will provide help to those who need it and need it,” the Drug Policy Alliance said in a statement. communicated.
The purpose of the measure – supported by the Oregon Nurses Association, the Oregon Chapter of the American College of Physicians, and the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians – is to keep addicts out of the criminal justice system and their provide treatment.
“Punishing people for drug use and drug addiction is costly and hasn’t worked. More drug treatment, not punishment, is a better approach,” the groups said in a statement.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan also supported the measure, which contributed $ 500,000 through the Chan Zuckerberg initiative.
– Treatment options –
However, opponents, including several local groups working on drug addiction policy, said the measure undermines local efforts and does not guarantee a fixed budget for treatment.
The state’s second groundbreaking initiative, Measure 109, legalizes the therapeutic use of psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms,” for people over the age of 21 with a variety of ailments, including depression, drug addiction, and drug abuse. anxiety.
The measure was conducted by Portland psychotherapists Tom and Sheri Eckert.
“There are a lot of people out there who are suffering and in need of treatment options,” Tom Eckert told the local CBS station.
“We’re actually in the middle of a mental health crisis in Oregon. We have some of the highest rates of mental illness in the country. So the status quo doesn’t really work.
A related measure approved in Washington DC – Initiative 81 – decriminalizes “magic mushrooms” and other psychedelics.
Under this measure, those who use and sell such drugs would be considered among the “lowest law enforcement priorities” of the police service.
Also on Tuesday, four US states – New Jersey, Montana, South Dakota and Arizona – voted to legalize recreational marijuana, which remains illegal at the federal level.
This brings to 15 the number of US states that have approved the drug for recreational use since 2012. Medical cannabis, for its part, is already legal in 33 US states.
In 1973, Oregon became the first state in the country to decriminalize marijuana.
(This story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
