The 2020 election cycle brought many changes to the landscape of the United States political scene, including a significant shift in how the state of Oregon will handle drug use moving forward. Measure 110, a ballot issue aimed at decriminalizing the personal use of recreational drugs in the state, passed with 55.8% of the vote. The policy went into effect in February 2021, making Oregon the first state in the union to host more relaxed drug policies for its citizens. 

Proponents of decriminalization in the state believe that this measure will help reallocate resources used to combat the “war on drugs” into other programs that will enact reform and help the citizens who need it most. They believe that former punishments for minor drug-related offenses were antiquated and unfairly targeted people of color. Policy adjustments like decriminalization allow already strained law enforcement officers to focus on more pressing issues while easing overcrowding in the jail system. Beyond that, there is precedence that illustrates reframing drug addiction as a medical rather than a criminal issue helps improve community health overall. 

Critics who oppose the measure argue that decriminalizing personal drug use is a half-step that will only exacerbate an already dangerous situation. They believe that allowing citizens the flexibility to make their own decisions regarding drug use has the potential to skew the median age for drug addiction younger, making the idea of exploring drug use more appealing for youth. Their concern stems from the notion that crime will not go away just because the punishment is decreased because the creation and distribution of drugs are still illegal in the state. 

The question remains, should Oregon have decriminalized drugs for personal use?