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Vital City | Portland, Portugal and the Lessons of Decriminalization

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In November 2020, Oregon voters passed Ballot Measure 110 by a large margin, decriminalizing all personal possession of all drugs, moving the offense from a misdemeanor to a civil violation with a maximum fine of $100. It was the single largest reduction in the criminal justice footprint in Oregon history. The measure reallocated cannabis tax revenue to the tune of $100 million per year, which was used to stand up a substance use treatment system, and its provisions dealt with people struggling with addiction far more humanely than the criminal justice system typically does. Now, a mere three years later, the tides have shifted. Voters of the state are mulling possible ballot measures to recriminalize drugs. It’s not hard for media outlets to find someone to quote who is opposed to drug decriminalization, sometimes even people who voted for the measure. What happened? Ask some, and they’ll tell you that decriminalization brought problems; ask others, and issues arrived at the same time

The promise and pitfalls of calling off the cops In November 2020, Oregon voters passed Ballot Measure 110 by a large margin, decriminalizing all personal possession of all drugs, moving the offense from a misdemeanor to a civil violation with a maximum fine of $100. It was the single largest reduction in the criminal justice footprint in Oregon history. The measure reallocated cannabis tax revenue to the tune of $100 million per year, which was used to stand up a substance use treatment system, and its provisions dealt with people struggling with addiction far more humanely than the criminal

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