The Oregon Senate passedHouse Bill 4002 by a vote of 21-8 Friday, which recriminalizes sure drug possession prices that Oregon voters voted to decriminalize in 2020.
Underneath the invoice, people charged with possession of small quantities of medication like methamphetamine or fentanyl will face misdemeanor prices that can lead to jail time. Moreover, the invoice accommodates provisions supposed to develop entry to opioid withdrawal remedy drugs and make it simpler for people to get dependancy remedy.
In 2020, Oregon voters passedMeasure 110, which made most illegal possession of a managed substance offenses a Class E violation. A Class E violation is a much less severe offense than a misdemeanor and solely includes a tremendous of $100. Measure 110 allowed people charged with illegal possession to have their prices dismissed in the event that they sought remedy inside 45 days of receiving a quotation. This variation utilized to Schedule I-IV drug possession offenses. The measure additionally established a drug dependancy remedy program funded by the state’s marijuana tax income. Home Invoice 4002 would make most of those offenses misdemeanors once more.
In response to the passage of the invoice, Coverage Director of the ACLU of Oregon Jessica Maravilla stated:
Collectively, ACLU of Oregon’s greater than 27,000 members imagined an Oregon full of therapeutic and thriving communities, no more jails and prisons. 1000’s of us took motion and engaged in our democracy — calling and emailing lawmakers and submitting testimony for hearings. We requested for actual options together with extra remedy, housing, prevention applications, neighborhood revitalization efforts, and non-police cell disaster response groups. The ACLU of Oregon neighborhood has deep gratitude for the lawmakers who voted ‘no’ to the false guarantees of criminalization in HB 4002 — and its unconscionable human and different prices to our state.
Conversely, Oregon Senate Republican Chief Tim Knopp praised the invoice’s passage, stating:
Republicans stand united with Oregonians who overwhelmingly imagine we deserve higher than Measure 110. On this historic vote to reimpose felony penalties for drug possession, we’re making it clear that Oregon is not a drug tourism state. Although lawmakers may have way more to do in future periods to proceed making progress on the fentanyl-fueled drug overdose and dependancy disaster dealing with our state, I used to be proud to face on the precise aspect of historical past by casting my vote in favor for HB 4002. Passing this invoice will put Oregon on a path to restoration and signifies and finish to the nationwide decriminalization motion. I name {that a} victory.
The invoice will now go to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek for passage. If Kotek indicators the invoice, it is going to change into legislation in Oregon. Nonetheless, if Kotek vetoes the invoice, the state legislature can override the veto with a two-thirds vote of these current in each the Home and the Senate, and the invoice will change into legislation with out Kotek’s approval. Additionally, if Kotek doesn’t signal or veto the invoice, it is going to change into legislation on both January 1, 2025 or the prescribed efficient date on the invoice. The Oregon Home beforehand handed the invoice by a vote of 51-7.
Source / Picture: jurist.org
