Oregon voters overwhelmingly approved Measure 110, decriminalizing small amounts of heroin and other street drugs. Now what? On this bonus episode, The Oregonian and OregonLive’s Noelle Crombie talks about Measure 110, how this isn’t the first time the state took a historic step on drug reform, how the Legislature is reacting and how the pioneering vote is creating waves around the country and beyond. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
As the time of fully understanding the scope of legalization impacts of marijuana, the state and medical physicians are now able to understand the effect of the medicine. While removing the eras’ past classification, and the state’s fiscal benefit from marijuana, the recent Measure 110-- which has now been passed by the people, will utilize taxation from legalization of cannabis towards community-empowered incentives. As described by local, Portland activist, Noelle Crombie, on The Oregonian,
“The measure does some really key things: first, it decriminalizes small amounts of [those] drugs, it also reduces criminal penalties for possession of the drugs-- what was a felony, is now a misdemeanor. Previously what was misdemeanor is now a violation, the same as a traffic ticket. Third effect is that it redirects tax revenue generated from marijuana sales, towards program that support treatment and recovery services.”
As we now enter 2021, Portland has its first glimpse into witnessing what reallocation looks like-- as well as its impacts. Although Measure 110 can provide much-needed assistance for local initiatives, organizations, community members, counselors/therapists to help those enduring addiction. Further utilization of taxation could go even further, helping the houseless, addiction and recovery services, local education funding, housing throughout the state.
