Oregon governor to sign bill re-criminalizing possession of certain drugs into law

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek will sign new legislation that makes possession of a small amount of drugs such as fentanyl and heroin a misdemeanor in the state, moving to recriminalize such substances roughly three years after the state became the first in the nation to decriminalize the possession and personal use of all drugs, according to a statement from the Democratic governor.

House Bill 4002 reverses portions of Measure 110, a 2020 voter ballot initiative that relaxed certain penalties for drug possession. The new bill overwhelmingly cleared both chambers of the state legislature with bipartisan support late last week.

“I intend to sign House Bill 4002 and the related prevention and treatment investments within the next 30 days,” Kotek’s statement indicated, adding her focus will be on careful implementation of the law, particularly noting concerns by some advocates that the bill disproportionately impacts communities of color.