Oregon Could Become 1st US State to Decriminalize Hard Drugs

In what would be a first in the U.S., possession of small amounts of heroin, cocaine, LSD and other hard drugs could be decriminalized in Oregon under a ballot measure.

  • Published 30 October 2020
FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2019, file photo, a drug syringe found behind a vacant property in northeast Albuquerque, N.M., is placed into a container, as crews attempt to clear the lot of needles and other heroin paraphernalia. In what would be a first in the U.S., possession of small amounts of heroin, cocaine, LSD and other hard drugs would be decriminalized in Oregon under a ballot measure that voters are deciding on in Tuesday's election. Instead of going to trial and facing possible jail time, a person would have the option of paying a $100 fine or attend new "addiction recovery centers." (AP Photo/Mary Hudetz, File)
Image via AP Photo/Mary Hudetz

This article was republished here with permission from The Associated Press, however it is no longer available to read on Snopes.com.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — In what would be a first in the U.S., possession of small amounts of heroin, cocaine, LSD and other hard drugs could be decriminalized in Oregon under a ballot measure that voters are deciding on in Tuesday’s election. Measure 110 is one of the most watched initiatives in Oregon because it would drastically change how the state’s justice system treats people caught with amounts for their personal use. Instead of being…

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