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Oregon votes to approve Measure 110 and decriminalize all drugs, social media calls it 'sensible step forward'

While many are tweeting in support of the measure, others question whether the measure was really the need of the hour

Oregon has become the first state in the United States to decriminalize the use of all drugs, including cocaine and heroin, after voting to approve Measure 110. The initiative aimed to decriminalize all drugs, including cocaine and heroin, and redirect the savings — in addition to the sales tax revenue from marijuana — to set up a drug addiction treatment and recovery program. The measure is an attempt to replace the current criminal justice approach for drugs with a public health approach. The ballot measure will attempt to reclassify possession of small amounts of drugs as a civil violation, similar to a traffic offense. The penalty would be a $100 fine, which a person can avoid by agreeing to participate in a health assessment. Selling and manufacturing drugs will remain illegal.

According to The Oregonian/Oregon Live, the measure is backed by chief petitioners wife-and-husband Sheri and Thomas Eckert, who stated that psilocybin could help people struggling with issues from depression to anxiety to addiction. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug compound produced by more than 200 species of fungus. The publication also pointed out that recent research at universities including Johns Hopkins, Imperial College in London, and the University of California, Los Angeles, have shown promising results of psilocybin therapy on depression, PTSD, and addiction.

Kassandra Frederique, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, said in a statement to Newsweek, "Today’s victory is a landmark declaration that the time has come to stop criminalizing people for drug use. Measure 110 is arguably the biggest blow to the war on drugs to date." She continued, "It shifts the focus where it belongs — on people and public health — and removes one of the most common justifications for law enforcement to harass, arrest, prosecute, incarcerate and deport people."

The news of the passing of the measure has been greeted with mixed feelings. While many are tweeting in support of the measure, others question whether the measure was really the need of the hour. One user tweeted, "I’m so proud of Oregon tonight. Passing medical psilocybin and decriminalizing street drugs and giving more access to treatment." Another wrote, "The “War on Drugs” hasn’t worked to prevent harm from using drugs. It’s only caused misery and violence. Oregon is smart to take steps towards a new approach."

A user tweeted, "Congrats to Oregon for decriminalizing all drugs. A major step forward for sensible drug policy." A user opined, "Oregon votes to legalized psychedelic mushrooms. Game changer for mental health and wellness." Another wrote, "bro oregon legalized some drugs. idk man i’m drunk as a f**k but imagine if the rest of the country cared more about minorities and less about stupid drugs that don’t hurt people."

According to Vox, opponents argue that decriminalization removes a powerful deterrent to trying and using drugs, potentially fueling more drug use and addiction. They claim criminal penalties attached to drug possession can also be leveraged — through, say, drug courts — to push people into addiction treatment they otherwise wouldn’t accept.