US drug laws set for sweeping overhaul as voters choose decriminalization Says The Guardian

It’s worth noting that the mainstream press are also picking up on voting in the affirmative to further do away with drug laws in states around the US and singling out Oregon as the leader in the field because of its existing health issues with (formally) illegal drug in the state

The Guardian writes…

Oregon to decriminalize all illegal drugs in historic first, while voters in many states vote to abolish penalties for possession

On Tuesday night, a number of US states voted in favor of decriminalizing drugs in an unprecedented drug law overhaul. Thanks to a push by drug reform advocates, in every state where the ballot was proposed, people voted to abolish criminal penalties for possession.

Last night, Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota, voted to decriminalize recreational marijuana. Meanwhile, in Mississippi and South Dakota, medical marijuana will legalized – taking the tally of US states that have legalized the substance up to 15. And in Washington DC, psychedelic plants will be decriminalized.

In Oregon, all illegal drugs – including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines – will be decriminalized, meanwhile psilocybin, or psychoactive mushrooms, will be legalized for therapeutic use – a historic first.

Oregon has with some of the highest substance use and mental health problems in the country, and its access to services is one of the worst in the country. It has the third highest number of people needing but not receiving treatment for alcohol and substance use disorders.

Mimicking successful pilots in Europe, the initiative in Oregon places an emphasis on treating addiction as a health issue, rather than one of law and order. Instead of jail time, those found in possession of drugs will have the option to either pay a $100 fine, or sign up for addiction services.

Read the full article at

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/04/us-drug-laws-decriminalization-voters-us-elections

Also See

The Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/

OPB

https://www.opb.org/article/2020/11/04/oregon-measure-110-decriminalize-drugs/

The NY Times

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-oregon-measure-110-decriminalize-some-drugs-and-provide-treatment.html

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